Evan Donnelly’s open-net goal with 12 seconds left in the game capped off his hat trick and sealed Spalding’s 5-3 victory over St. John’s on Friday night at Piney Orchard Ice Arena.

The win clinched fourth place for the Cavaliers (7-3-1) and home-ice advantage in the first round of the MAPHL playoffs that start on February 20. The top eight teams qualify for the MAPHL post season.

Matt Rand opened the scoring for Spalding just 3:26 into the game, but the lead lasted less than 30 seconds before Cole Maner tied it for St. John’s (6-4-1). It was Maner’s 13th goal in league play, tying him for the lead in that category with Georgetown Prep’s Alex Chaconas.

Donnelly notched his first of the game to put Spalding back up by one at 8:25 of the first period. After AJ Maner evened the score again for the Cadets early in the second, Donnelly scored on the power play to give the Cavaliers a 3-2 lead mid-way through the middle period.

The highly competitive match-up saw both goalies make key stops, but there was none bigger than Spalding’s Collin Berke’s save on Cole Maner’s breakaway attempt with just seconds left in the second period. Rather than St. John’s starting the third period tied, the Cavaliers increased their lead just 1:12 into the third on Max Fleckenstein unassisted goal.