The Saint Paul Academy and Summit School/Mounds Park Academy hockey squad traveled to Duluth on Saturday afternoon, hoping to show they are ready for prime time.  The Hilltoppers from Marshall School had other ideas, and showed the Spartans what one of the top high school hockey programs in the State of Hockey looks like.  Marshall showed why they are ranked ninth in the most current Lets Play Hockey publication, exhibiting the speed, strength, and unselfish team play it takes to be a state contender year after year.

The 'Toppers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first period, but the Spartans kept fighting, and the persistant forecheck of Mike Falvey, Luke Bruggeman, and James Wood left an opening for defenseman Max Hommeyer to streak towards the net and one-time a nice feed from Wood past stellar Marshall goaltender Willie Paul into the lower right corner to cut the lead to two at the end of the first period.

The Academy boys opened the second period looking to chip away at the lead, but two power-play goals and a dominant transition game gave Marshall a nearly insurmountable lead heading into the third period.  The Spartans had several scoring chances in the third, but Paul stopped all comers, and the Hilltopper defense didn't let the SPA forwards anywhere near what few rebound chances there were.  Another power-play goal sealed the deal for Marshall, and the 'Toppers prevailed 6-1 at Mars Lakeview Arena.

The Spartans next test will take place on Tueday, January 13th against conference rival Breck School, currently ranked #4 in class A by Let's Play Hockey, at Anderson Arena in Golden Valley.