Bantam Bronze Ice Dogs complete undefeated season
The Bantam Bronze Ice Dogs from Glacier Ice Arena in Vernon Hills finished a remarkable season on Saturday, Feb. 23rd, winning the NIHL Championship by defeating the Glenview Stars 5-4 in overtime of the Wolves Cup Tournament championship game. This followed the Ice Dogs perfect 20-0 regular season, which earned them the President's Cup.
While the Ice Dogs put together a dominating regular season, their final two games in the Wolves Cup Tournament posed more difficult challenges, with both games needing extra time before prevailing. The semifinal game against Winnetka needed two overtimes to determine the winner. In the second overtime, Skylar Blacker jumped in from the blue line and was able to get his shot past the Winnetka goaltender to give the Ice Dogs the 3-2 victory. It took the Ice Dogs 53 shots to get the third goal past the outstanding Winnetka goaltending and send the team onto the finals to face the Glenview Stars.
The Ice Dogs got off to a fast start in the championship game as Bailey Nitch needed only 10 seconds to put the Ice Dogs in front 1-0. Beautiful goals from Dylan Horwitz and Jack Glenn were complemented by a hard-fought goal from Jacob Saddler to give the Ice Dogs a 4-2 lead with 1:15 remaining in the game.
However, an ill-timed penalty combined and too many gambles allowed Glenview to score two goals in the final minute of regulation to force the game to overtime. Fortunately for the Ice Dog parents, Eric Maciejewksi saved them from added stress when he released a quick shot that took Glenview's goaltender -- who had already stopped 29 shots in the game -- by surprise and gave the Ice Dogs the NIHL Championship. Justin Ruether was named the championship game MVP. It was the perfect ending to a perfect season.
Said Bantam Ice Dogs Head Coach Darrell Huotari: "I am very proud of what my Bantam team accomplished this season. We had an overall record of 37-9-2, which includes a 20-0 record in our NIHL regular season. My assistant coach Kent Cruickshank and I created an inclusive team environment where it was okay to take chances and try new things. Like all hockey coaches should, we stressed principles that can apply to life as well as hockey. We focused on working hard so as to give yourself as many options as possible.
“Throughout this season, our team was exposed to many different scenarios as to being up or down by as many as five goals. We all learned and appreciated the importance of respect and sportsmanship in both winning and losing. We also learned that a measure of success is peace of mind knowing you gave your best effort.
“Our final game of the season was the league championship game against the Glenview Stars, which went into overtime. That can be an intimidating position to be in as this was the first championship game for some of our guys. One mistake can cost a team the game. Coach Cruickshank and I reinforced that all they can control is their attitude and their effort. If they trust in themselves, then we will be successful – win or lose.
“All 17 of the names on our roster contributed to our overtime victory. This year's team was a very special experience. I really enjoyed watching these guys work so hard in practice and have that translate into such a successful win/loss record. I have always been proud to be an Ice Dog – to wear that blue Ice Dog jacket to the rink – but I am even more proud to be a part of this team.”
Team members and coaching staff:
Collin Bauman (G)
Charles Krebs (G)
Skyler Blacker
Jack Glenn
Nick Hollander
Dylan Horwitz
Thomas Krebs
Matthew Kubiak
Eric Maciejewski
Grayson Manchik
Bailey Nitch
Timothy Paczynski
Justin Ruether
Jake Saddler
Hunter Schweiger
Scott Shappert
Ben Stavola
Coaching Staff:
Darrell Huotari
Kent Cruickshank
Todd Bauman
Manager Mike Ruether