Weiss' OT winner gives Glenbard title
It's the dream every hockey player fantasizes about - scoring the championship game-winning goal in overtime - ever since they first lace up a pair of ice skates.
That dream became reality for junior forward Sam Weiss on Sunday night at the United Center, in front of about 7,000 fans, as co-op Glenbard defeated Maine 4-3 in overtime to win the Illinois High School State Championship (Combined Division).
Weiss' goal came with 2:46 remaining in overtime, barely slipping past Maine sophomore goalie John Flynn (29 saves) and inching over the goal line.
"John Wilt centered it and I just stuffed it home," said Weiss (Glenbard South). "It was bang-bang. (Wilt) threw it (in front of the net) from the corner; (the puck) hit off a kid's shinpad, went around their goalie and I just poked it home.
"This is an unbelievable feeling, something I'll remember for the rest of my life."
The title was Glenbard's second over the past four seasons and avenges last season's runner-up finish to Waubonsie Valley. Glenbard ended 38-14-4, while Maine finisheed 29-22-13.
"It's like winning the Stanley Cup; you can't describe the feeling," said Glenbard senior forward Nick Pietro (Glenbard North), who was held pointless - yet his speedy, pesky play led to plenty of scoring chances.
"I was watching the play from the bench, waiting for my shift. I saw a scramble in front of the net, then see the referee pointing into the net (signaling a goal) and just got off the bench as fast as I could, throwing my gear in the year. I can't believe it, especially after losing state last year. Knowing that feeling just makes this feeling that much better."
The win was anything but easy. Maine led 1-0 after the first period, then built a 2-0 edge with 5:23 left in the second. Senior forward Jeremy Carey (Jimmy Kasch, assist) tallied Maine's first goal, followed by senior forward Joe Guzaldo's goal from senior forward Shawn Brown.
Weiss broke the ice for Glenbard with 55 seconds left in the second period.
Senior forward Nikko Parisi tied the game at 2-2 less than a minute into the third period, scoring off an assist from Weiss.
"I think we were amazed (early on), just playing in this amazing facility," Pietro said. "But then when we got used to it and realized we were playing for a state championship and realized we had to play our own game. We picked it up and our chances started coming."
Added Glenbard coach Jason Hawkins, "This is the third time I've been (in the state championship game), and this team probably had the toughest challenge to get here. The guys stepped up, the guys didn't panic. We overcame a bad first period. Cutting the score to 2-1 was huge and gave us a lot of confidence. I think we outplayed them in the third."
Kasch gave Maine a 3-2 edge with 6:25 left before Parisi tied the game at 4:00 on a power-play goal off an assist from junior defenseman Connor Shin and junior defenseman Joey Marcuccilli.
"This never gets old; this is fun," Hawkins said. "To see the smiles on these kids' faces, especially the seniors and those who lost (the championship) last year, this is what we do it for."
Glenbard junior goalie Jim Bertane made 37 saves, including 15 in the second period when Maine tried to ice the victory.