Sophomore Devlin McCabe scored twice, including the game-winning goal at 11:55 of the third period.

Streaking into the Crusaders’ zone, McCabe stole a clearing attempt and fired.

“He’s been a big-time player everywhere he’s been,” Spartans coach Matt Funk said.

The back-and-forth game provided a satisfying conclusion after blowouts in Wednesday’s first three quarterfinal games.

The teams were knotted 2-2 at the second intermission.

Momentum shifted in the third period to St. Paul Academy, which used superior team speed to outshoot the Crusaders 9-1 through the first seven minutes of play.

“We knew we had to keep shooting the puck,” SPA senior forward Justin Jallen said.

The Spartans were unable to cash in until McCabe intercepted a pass.

“They got the all-important third goal,” first-year Crusaders coach Derrick Brown said.

Jack Johnston gave the Spartans (24-5) a brief second-period edge. Only 34 seconds later, St. Cloud Cathedral (20-8-1) tied the game 2-2 on Logan Neu’s second goal.

State tournament newcomer and No. 4 seed St. Paul Academy and Summit School edged No. 5 seed St. Cloud Cathedral 4-2 in Wednesday’s last Class 1A quarterfinal game played at the Xcel Energy Center.

The Spartans advances to play No. 1 seed Hermantown at 1 p.m. Friday.

Sophomore Devlin McCabe scored twice, including the game-winning unassisted goal at 11:55 of the third period.

Streaking into the Crusaders’ zone, McCabe stole an outlet pass attempt and teed up a shot that beat goaltender Keegan Karki.

The back-and-forth game provided a satisfying conclusion after blowouts in Wednesday’s first three quarterfinal games.

The teams were knotted 2-2 at the second intermission.

Jack Johnston scored his team-best 24th goal for St. Paul Academy (23-5) in unusual fashion. He chipped a puck from a sharp angle over the shoulder of Karki at 13:16.

Just 34 seconds later, St. Cloud Cathedral (20-7-1) tied the game on Logan Neu’s second goal of the game. Neu, a senior, lead the Crusaders with 24 goals.

St. Cloud Cathedral jumped to a 1-0 lead in the first period. Tanner Schmit slid a great pass across the slot toward Neu, who buried his chance at 13:21.

Great teamwork got equaled by a tremendous individual effort from Spartans’ McCabe. Pinned against the boards in the St. Cloud Cathedral goal by a defender, McCabe worked free. He skated into the clear and fired a puck that sent Karki’s water bottle into orbit.