Boys hockey: Local hockey clubs end dream seasons at nationals

Both Illinois high school hockey teams cruised through the three-game round robin portion of the 2026 Chipotle-USA Hockey High School National Championship in Plymouth, Minn. last week, but co-op BG/H/W and Saint Viator each fell Saturday in the playoffs, ending their dream seasons.

The Stampede lost 3-2 in overtime to the Osseo Maple Grove Saints (Minn.) in the quarterfinals of the 16-team 2A division.

The Lions lost 6-2 to Florida-based Nest Hockey Academy in the semifinals of the top-tiered, eight-team 3A division.

“It was a great national championship, finishing 3-1 against four great teams,” said Stampede coach Chris Waters. “We played good hockey, but a couple of bounces (Saturday) just did not go our way; that’s what happens when you play good teams.”

BG/H/W hit three posts and did not score on four breakaways. “We had a lot of chances; we just did not execute,” he said. “We held a high-scoring team to two goals in regulation time. We just didn’t bury the chances we had.”

Stampede forwards Cam Christopher and Aiden Gogerty each scored Saturday. The Saints scored the game-winner with 3:39 remaining in the 17-minute overtime.

“We had chances in overtime,” Waters said. “This was a fast-paced team and we had a plan going in (to slow them down). Overall, it was just a good hockey game, a good battle.”

BG/H/W goalie Ronin Alaniz faced 27 shots.

“I’m not at all disappointed. Winning state was always the goal; nationals was a great reward for winning state,” Waters said. “I’m very, very happy with how we played this weekend. I couldn’t be any happier as their coach.”

The Stampede won their three round robin games, defeating the Bellmore/Merrick Bulldogs (N.Y.) 4-3 in overtime, the Central Cathedral Jets (Calif.) 8-2 and the Omaha Jr. Lancers 3-1. Christopher led the Stampede with 9 points (4 goals, 5 assists) in four games. Gogerty had 7 points and linemate Ryan Costanza had 6 points, including a hat trick and a ‘Michigan goal’ against the Jets.

Saint Viator surrendered five unanswered goals from the midway point Saturday, including two shorthanded tallies.

“It was a blast being with the guys one last time. Obviously, we are so blessed and thankful to have won state and it truly was a blessing to play (for a national championship). We didn’t win, but we have a lot of memories from this (tournament) and the season, and we’re thankful for that,” said Viator senior defenseman Tommy Speck. “We just didn’t bring it today; we were kind of gassed, didn’t have our all, didn’t play like how we were in Illinois during our big winning streak.

“The wheels just kind of fell off today, but that’s all right.”

The Lions struck first as Mason Steffan scored, assisted by John Kulpins at 7:55 of the first period. Reid Cole answered about a minute later and it was 1-1 after the first.

Ryan Loftus gave the Lions a 2-1 edge at 11:53 of the second period, scoring on an assist from Albert Przywara. But that was the last highlight of the game — and the season — for the Lions.

“We took a lot of penalties today, kind of undisciplined play, which is not our style of hockey — and that cost us, for sure,” Speck said.

The Lions went 2-1 in round robin play, defeating the Seacoast Spartans (N.H.) and Norwich Hockey Club (Conn.) by identical 5-2 scores. Viator lost 5-2 to Shattuck St. Mary’s (Minn.). Loftus led the Lions with 6 points (3 goals, 3 assists) in 3 games played.

Speck said the experience “was a blast,” despite the semifinal loss.