St. Cloud Cathedral’s top line has been a big reason the Crusaders made it all the way to the Minnesota Class A boys state high school championship game on Saturday. The trio of Joey Gillespie, Andrew Dwinnell and John Hirschfeld combined for 88 of the team’s 144 total goals.

Those three players connected on all of the Crusaders’ goals as third seed Cathedral beat top-seeded Hermantown, 3-1, at Xcel Energy Center for the school’s second boys hockey championship.

“Our first line was better than anyone else’s first line,” St. Cloud head coach Robbie Stocker said. “I don’t mean that to sound arrogant in any way, shape or form, but the way they play is proof of how tenacious they are.

“If they were under the radar on anybody, I would imagine that’s not the case anymore.”

Making its 12th state tournament appearance, Cathedral finished the 26-4-1 and won its first title since the Crusaders won the Class A crown in 2019.

The Crusaders’ top line connected for the game’s first goal when Dwinnell and Hirschfeld swooped in on a 3-on-2 rush, with Gillespie driving the net through the slot. Hirschfeld sent a pass over a Hermantown stick, and Dwinnell blasted home his 28th goal of the season.

Dwinnell picked up his 29th goal after a nice feed from Gillespie in the slot, and Gillespie picked up his 32nd goal of the season after a nice pass from Hirschfeld to make it 3-0 in the third period.

“In my opinion, it’s three Division I hockey players that all deserve a look from coaches around here,” Stocker said. “They proved it day in and day out. They owned every matchup that they had throughout the entire season and they produced in every single moment that was in front of them.”

Crusaders’ goaltender Nick Hansen improved to 19-0-1 this season. The last time these two teams played each other, St. Cloud didn’t have Hansen in net and lost 3-1 in January.

Hansen held his ground Saturday, and was lights out in the second period, stopping all 11 of the Hawks’ shots on goal. His biggest save came on the penalty kill late in the second when he stopped the initial point shot before sliding across to rob Will Esterbrooks on a Grade A chance.

“It was just a shot from the point that bounced out to me, and the goalie made a hell of a save,” Esterbrooks said. “I don’t know. I tried to shoot it quick before he could slide over, and he got his hand on it. Not much else.”

Hansen followed it up with three quick saves in the opening minute of the third period to keep the Crusaders up one. Ultimately, he stopped 28 of the 29 shots he faced.

“Goalies can’t score goals, but his presence — the confidence, and just the steady leadership he brings — does lead to goals,” Stocker said. “What he brings to the group elevates everybody’s play, work ethic, and just the positivity of the group. The leadership that he brings, pushed us along.”

Alexander Francisco scored Hermantown (20-9-2) with the goalie pulled in the final minutes, but the Crusaders withstood the Hawks’ final push.

“We set our goals at the beginning of the season, and the number one goal was to win the championship,” Stocker said. “I think every team says that at the beginning of the year, but this group truly believed in it and dedicated themselves to doing this.”

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