Hockey: St. Viator claims first state title by beating three-time defending champ New Trier

Saint Viator reveled Friday night in a celebration 54-years in the making.

The Lions used a four-goal second period to dethrone three-time defending state champion New Trier Green 6-3 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont for the school’s first Illinois High School Hockey State Championship (red division).

Saint Viator coach Tim Benz, who had a successful playing career at Glenbrook South though he never won a state championship for the Titans, said the Lions’ title victory was “incredible … definitely the highlight of my hockey career.”

Viator senior captain Ryan Loftus, a forward, said the win was “unbelievable.”

“To bring home the championship — for the school, the alums, everyone — it’s pretty cool,” said Loftus, who tallied the game’s first goal about four minutes into the second period.

“I got the puck, threw it at the net and it ended up going in. That definitely was the favorite goal that I’ve ever scored.”

Saint Viator goalie Calder Turpin said, “Getting that first goal really changed it for us. That really cranked up our energy.”

The Lions pushed their lead to 2-0 at 11:24 of the second on a goal from Albert Przywara off a pass from Connor Sibigtroth.

Przywara was named the game’s MVP.

“I want to give all my thanks to God,” Przywara said. “This is the tightest group I’ve ever been a part of … it’s an unbelievable feeling.”

The Trevians made it 2-1 at 8:21 of the second period when Charlie Cannon beat goalie Calder Turpin from the slot.

Green pushed for the equalizer, but instead, the Lions struck hard and fast — and lethal — in the waning minutes of the second, scoring twice in a 21-second span to build a 4-1 edge. Loftus fed Giovanni DiPinto off a three-on-one break and he tallied an upper corner goal past New Trier’s Max Reed. Matt Ciccone then tipped home a John Kulpins pass for the game-winner.

New Trier Green coach Adam Cheris said the 21-second stretch “definitely was a difference-maker.”

“We had the momentum. We were carrying the play. We were all over them, looking to tie the game,” Cheris said. “Then all of a sudden, they put in two (goals) for a 4-1 lead. We went from about to tie it up to trailing by three; that’s a night and day difference. That hurt.”

The Trevians, though, were determined in the third. Jenner Laden scored, then Dane Lohmeier scored unassisted with 10 minutes left to play — and it was a one-goal game.

Connor Sibigtroth gave the Lions their first dose of insurance with 1:38 remaining, scoring an empty-net goal. Then with 1:12 remaining, DiPinto iced the win with an empty-net goal.

“It was a sensational win; everyone came together as a team,” Turpin said. “I came in there a little nervous, heart pumping. But once that puck dropped, that nervousness turned into energy.

“In the third period, I was tough mentally. They just kept throwing it at me, hoping to score (on the first shot) or bury a rebound. But the defense did a great job (clearing out rebounds).”

The Lions won the triple crown this season: winning the Scholastic Hockey League regular season title, the SHL playoff (championship) and the state championship. Benz said the postgame celebration in Rosemont was extremely emotional.

“It ranks right up there with the birth of my children and getting married,” Benz said.

The Lions have made it to the final four six of the last nine years, and have played in the state finals four times in team history. Winning state, “was a special moment,” Loftus said.

Now the Lions will prepare for the 2026 Chipotle-USA Hockey High School National Championships, March 18-22 in Plymouth, Minn. “We’re absolutely excited for Nationals, hoping to keep the train rolling,” Benz said.

The Lions finished 40-15, with five of their 15 loses coming in overtime.

New Trier White coach Jeremy Ellis, part of the finals broadcast team, tagged the Allstate Arena games, including the BG/H/W win over Maine Township in the combined division final, as “a great day for Illinois high school hockey.”

“Both games were intense and hard-fought, and the atmosphere with the (overflowing) student sections were awesome to watch,” Ellis said.

“The Lions were a team of destiny this season. From the time they lost to New Trier Green last season until Friday at the Allstate Arena, you knew they were a team on a mission. The job Tim Benz and his staff does is second-to-none. I was really happy for him, knowing him since his playing days.”