MIDDLETON – On Jan. 18, St. John’s Prep boys hockey head coach Kristian Hanson called Catholic Memorial the state’s clear top team after it beat Xaverian by five in the Catholic Conference Showcase.

Ten days later, he still calls it the best, which only makes the No. 6 Eagles’ (8-3-1) 2-1 triumph Wednesday night that much more meaningful, snapping the No. 1 Knights’ seven-game win streak at Essex Sports Center.

Sophomore goalie Jesse Bernardinelli was spectacular with 34 saves, backing a scrappy defensive showing that went 4-for-4 on the penalty kill and held CM (12-2-1) scoreless in the second and third periods.

“Today was just about grit and determination, and saying, ‘We’re not going to lose this game,’ ” Hanson said. “And competing right, literally, until the last buzzer. I couldn’t be more impressed with the group. … I think the biggest positive for us today was if you go out and compete, and give your all, that you can be in a game against anybody.”

Luke Horenstein’s goal 10 minutes into the first period proved the game-winner, lifting SJP to a fourth straight win. All four have come against Catholic Conference opponents, keeping the Eagles in the conference title race as they trail the No. 1 Knights by two points with two games to go.

“This is huge,” Horenstein said. “They’re the No. 1 team right now, so hopefully this can bump us up a little bit. … If we can just stick to our systems and stick to basics, we can win games like that.”

St. John’s Prep could feel the importance of its start to the game as it developed, taking a 1-0 lead on a power-play goal from Brennan Waters less than eight minutes in. He shot into traffic from the point, and it deflected off a body into the net.

Shortly after killing of the Knights’ first power play, Ryan Finkle made a great play to maintain possession in the offensive zone and connected with Horenstein for the goal and a 2-0 lead with 7:00 left in the first.

Catholic Memorial freshman goalie Jaxon Fleming (15 saves) is as good as they come, showing that with a save on a penalty shot and a few other dynamic plays later on. Horenstein’s IQ on the goal impressed Hanson.

“(Horenstein) collected, shot,” Hanson said. “If you want to score against a goalie of that caliber, then don’t give him a chance to set up.”

The Knights got a goal back with 3:38 left in the first. Christian Hinckle skated around the back of the net to the left corner and found Landon Carlson in the slot for a snap that cut the deficit to 2-1.

Two different SJP penalties brought four nearly consecutive minutes of power play time for the Knights in the second, helping them pepper Bernardinelli with 14 shots. The sophomore was steady, including a pair of highlight-reel saves that looked like sure goals.

“He played a helluva game,” Horenstein said.

As the Knights limited the Eagles to five shots in the third (which Fleming needed to make a couple exceptional saves on), their pressure continued. St. John’s Prep’s defense battled to limit activity on the inside, and Bernardinelli remained steady.

“(Bernardinelli) was great,” Hanson said. “He’s got such a good demeanor, calm and composed. Under pressure, he was there for us today.”

The final test was a penalty with 1:39 left, giving CM the opportunity for a 6-on-4 when it pulled Fleming with about a minute to go.

“They’re a tremendous team,” Hanson said. “You really want to try to stay out of the penalty box. And when I saw that arm go up with 1:39 left, I could only envision them going 6-on-4, and six red shirts out there is a pretty scary sight. But (Anthony Petrucelli), and (Tim McColgan) at the end, and (JR Goldstein) and (Kevin Correa) just competed so hard for every puck.”