ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. -- St. Michael-Albertville struck for a pair of goals in each of the first two periods and Benilde-St. Margaret's was unable to overcome the deficit as the Red Knight junior varsity suffered a 4-1 loss in the season opener for both teams.

StMA took a 2-0 lead in the first period, which included a short-handed tally but BSM remained within striking distance until late in the second period.

Brennan Pederson's goal with 2:26 to play in the middle stanza gave the visiting Knights a 3-0 lead.

The Red Knights cut the lead to two goals again when Luke Coughlin scored on the power play with 30 seconds remaining in the second period.

However, instead of going into the intermission carrying some momentum, BSM gave up a goal 20 seconds later and neither team was generate any more scoring in the final period.

St. Michael-Albertville had a 25-17 advantage in shots on goal. Jack Sawyer made 21 saves in his Red Knight debut.

BSM has a pair of games at the St. Louis Park Recreation Center this weekend, facing Duluth Marshall at 5 p.m., Friday, before hosting Grand Rapids in a 12:30 p.m. matinee, Saturday.