SARANAC LAKE — After the Saranac Lake Placid boys hockey team gave up three unanswered goals and recorded just one shot on net in the opening period, their season looked all but dashed against the Saranac Central Spartans in Thursday’s Section VII semifinal contest.

However, the SLP boys connected on five goals in the second period to earn the the 7-4 upset win over the No. 2 seed Spartans at the Ameri-Can North Sports Center in Plattsburgh.

SLP’s goalkeeper Scottie Nicholas had a standout game, recording 51 saves to earn the win.

Senior captain Evan Willett paced the SLP’s offense with a hat trick. Freshman Ayden McCormick scored twice, while Will Landriault and Kellan Duffy had one goal each. Carson St. Louis contributed with two assists. Willett, Duffy, McCormick, Ethan Knight and Ryan Batholomew each had one.

With the win the SLP boys hockey team advanced the Section VII title game where they will face the top seed Beekmantown Eagles at the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena in Plattsburgh at 7 p.m. on Monday.

Saranac Central’s Landen Duprey, Evan Patrie, Ashtyn Catlin and Ryan Campbell scored one goal each. Ethan Barnes had three assists, Patrie had two, Landon Giroux and Gabe Moore each had one.

Mason Patnode had six saves for the Spartans, before being relieved in the second period for Shawn McLane, who had seven stops. Saranac Central posted a 55-20 advantage in shots for the game.

While trailing 3-0, SLP scored its first two goals on the power play. Willett scored the team’s first goal at the 44 seconds into the second period, followed by a goal from McCormick at 5:20.

After SLP took the lead on back-to-back goals from Willett and Landriault, the Spartans’ Catlin evened the game at 14:23 in the second period. McCormick responded a couple seconds later to make the score 5-4.

Willett and Duffy scored on goal each in the final period to secure the victory.