Difficult end to Lions' title hopes
St. Viator completed an unwanted hat trick Friday night at the United Center.
The Lions lost 5-0 in the state championship game to St. Rita, marking the boys hockey program's third unsuccessful try for top honors. St. Viator also was the state's second-best team in Illinois in 1989 and '79.
“Obviously we didn't come out and play our game, though I don't think the score dictates the differentiation between the skill levels of the two teams,” said St. Viator goalie Robert Schmidt. “Still, we had a great season. Down the line we'll remember this and think of all the accomplishments we've had this year, but it's tough right now.”
The Lions end 51-21-4, while the Mustangs finish 46-13-4.
“They just came to play, and we didn't,” said St. Viator coach Chris Lappin. “We weren't moving; we weren't passing the puck; we weren't controlling the puck; we weren't controlling the body. We just didn't stick to the game plan, and Rita took it to us.”
Stan Sojka struck first at 10:03 of the first, scoring his ninth goal of the season after winning a faceoff in the Lions' defensive zone. He poked a backhander past Schmidt (25 saves).
The Mustangs built a 2-0 edge with 1:16 remaining in the first on a picture-perfect passing play between Richard Faron and Chris Foley. Ultimately, Faron scored into an empty net.
“That (first goal) gave them all the momentum and (trailing 2-0) really put us in a big hole,” Schmidt said.
Marty Napleton (28 saves) was a wall in goal throughout for the Mustangs, and earned the game's MVP award.
“It was just a bad loss that will never leave me; I'll think about this for the rest of my life,” said St. Viator senior forward Jeremy Linzing, whistled for minor penalties in the first and second period. “It just wasn't our day. Everyone was nervous. We couldn't put anything together. It seemed like they just wanted it more; they just played better and nothing was going our way.”
Linzing entered the game as the team's leading scorer (56 goals, 51 assists in 68 games played) and he'll move to DePaul University in the fall, and probably skate for the Blue Demons' club hockey team — but he'll never forget his only night skating at the United Center.
“This is the worst feeling ever,” Linzing said. “I think it's worse losing here than (earlier in the tournament). You never want to go out in the biggest game of the year and lose.”
The Mustangs' insurance came with 13:33 to play in the third period. Sojka centered the puck to Jack Warren from behind the net and Warren smacked home his 23rd goal of the season.
Sojka baffled Schmidt yet again at 12:11, converting a backhander into the upper corner while moving to his right on a breakaway. Faron added his second goal at 9:46, giving the Mustangs its five-goal differential.
“Hockey is a game of lucky bounces, and those bounces have been happening a lot this year,” said Sojka, the team captain who only played 28 games this season due to a broken wrist suffered last August that required surgery. “In the third period, our main goal was to get shots on goal (because) we kind of had a feeling at that point they would fold.”
Added Mustangs' forward Warren: “The greatest game, the best time of my life.”
The championship is St. Rita's third title in four tries and second over the past three seasons. The Mustangs also won state in 1981 and were the runners-up in 1984.
The win gave the Mustangs' a 3-2 season series edge over the Lions and avenges the Lions' championship game win over St. Rita in the title game of the prestigious annual Loyola Thanksgiving Tournament, played in Wilmette.
“We've had trouble scoring goals all year, and tonight was no different,” Lappin said. “We made four huge mistakes and they capitalized to bury it on each, and in a state championship game at any level, you cannot make glaring mistakes and expect to win a hockey game when you're not putting the puck in the net.
“Still, we had a great run; they all ought to be very, very proud of themselves.”
Ÿ In the girls state championship game, played Friday afternoon at the United Center, New Trier defeated Lake Forest 1-0. Senior forward Eileen Harris scored the game's lone goal, unassisted, at 7:17 of the second period. New Trier goalie Lexie Cirrincione was only forced to make 12 saves, while Lindsay Projansky stopped 21 shots for the Scouts. New Trier finishes 29-3-5.
New Trier's Harris also was named the Cammie Granato Girls High School Player of the Year, awarded by the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI). She was honored during the Viator-Rita game, along with other award-winners from the season.
Sean Nelson (Naperville Central) was named the J.J. O'Connor High School Player of the Year; Mike Rohdenburg (Hinsdale Central) was given the AHAI Boys High School Coach of the Year, while Manny Ballestero earned AHAI Girls High School Coach of the Year honors. Rick Rooney (Chicago Hawks) was named the AHAI Youth Hockey Coach of the Year.