Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos

On Thursday, February 19th at the John Rhodes Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, the second-place St. Mary’s Knights opened their 2025–2026 Sault Ste. Marie Boy’s High School Hockey League semi-final series against the third-place Superior Heights Steelhawks in a highly competitive matchup.

Superior Heights struck first in the opening period, capitalizing on a power play at the 14:00 mark when Ty Cond scored his first goal of the playoffs, assisted by Curtis Johnson. The Steelhawks doubled their lead at 3:55 as Avery Fowler found the back of the net, with helpers from Ayden Hamilton and Oliver Austin, giving Superior Heights a 2–0 advantage after one.

The Knights responded in the second period, cutting the deficit to one at 13:58 when Tucker Bennett scored his first playoff goal, assisted by Marcus Spadafora. Superior Heights answered back at 6:14 with Alex Hoffe restoring the two-goal lead, set up by Cameron Knox and Carter Neabel. St. Mary’s continued to push, with Nathan Watts scoring at 4:57 off an assist from Connor Bishop to make it 3–2. Just over a minute later, at 3:45, Hunter Jackson tied the game 3–3, finishing a play from Bennett and Jarrett Solomon.

Momentum fully shifted in the third period as the Knights took their first lead of the game at 14:04. Ethan Agawa scored what would become the game-winning goal, assisted by Russell McNally. St. Mary’s sealed the victory at 2:12 with a shorthanded marker from Hunter Jackson, his second of the playoffs, with assists credited to Connor Bishop and Nathan Watts.

In goal, Aaron Juma backstopped the Knights, while the Steelhawks split goaltending duties between Peter Gartshore and Riley Orris.

With the 5–3 victory, St. Mary’s Knights take a 1–0 lead in the best-of-three semi-final series. The two teams will meet again on February 22nd at the John Rhodes Centre, with puck drop scheduled for 8:00 p.m.