The Saint Ignatius Varsity Blue hockey squad took on the Windy City over the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend for the National Jesuit Cup.
Besides the Wildcats, seven other Jesuit schools from Illinois, Colorado, Maine, Missouri, and Washington D.C. made the trip to Chicago.
The Wildcats fell two points short of the playoffs, but took on three formidable opponents, winning two of the games.
The Ice Cats started out the weekend on Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m., with an all-Ignatius matchup, as the Wildcats matched up against Saint Ignatius College Prep out of Chicago.
Seth Whitney lit the lamp late in the first, but besides his goal, the Wolfpack of Chicago (who fell 9-1 last year to the 'Cats) hung in with the Wildcats with a hard-nosed playing style.
The Wolfpack's "pack-it-in" playing style wouldn't be effective in the second. Just under two minutes into the second, senior John Von Keyserling took a beautiful feed from sophomore stud Connor McGowan and finished it past Charlie Doherty, the right-handed Wolfpack goalie who made 31 saves on 38 shots. Von Keyserling often changes the momentum in favor of the Cats, as he always comes to the rink ready to play, paving the way for his line mates with his energetic style.
Three minutes later, Connor Koehnke used his slick mitts and perfect precision to close out Wolfpack's dreams of a comeback, but the Wildcats were still just getting started.
Future star Eric Lile found the twine for the first time in his varsity career off a nice assist from Wirtz Athlete of the Year hopeful Matt Wiegandt. The senior has lead the Wildcats' defense in hockey and football, winning two state championships and finishing as a runner up for another with the football team this year as a safety.
Koehnke, Von Keyserling, and Whitney all added goals as the 'Cats notched 6 goals in the final 34 minutes of action. Benny Savarino was immaculate in the net, posting his third shutout of the year with a perfect 13-for-13 in saves. Savoring has helped keep his team in a few games this year, and conjures up memories of a young Dylan McKeon, who won the state championship his sophomore year. The Wildcats were dominant in the last two periods on the way to a 7-0 win.
The Wildcats would be back at it later in the day against the Eagles of Gonzaga (D.C.). Seth Whitney continued his hot senior year, opening up the scoring 53 seconds in, and a short few minutes later captain Connor Koehnke added onto the lead. The team started to settle in, but this contest was far from over.
The Eagles showed why they are the best high school team in DC, coming back in the remaining five minutes of the period. The Eagles scored with four minutes left, and then with 20 seconds left to send the teams to the lockeroom deadlocked at 2. A fast paced physical 2nd period let the scorekeepers relax, as they didn't have to add any goals.
The third period was the Connor Koehnke show.
With the help of three assists from Whitney, and assists from McCaffrey, Wiegandt, and Von Keyserling, Connor Koehnke had three more goals in the final period. Koehke scored the final four Wildcat goals of the game, taking over in a way similar to LeBron James or Michael Jordan would. Benny Savarino (16 saves on 18 shots) stood on his head for a few key saves late in the game to secure the Wildcats' win.
The next day, the Wildcats battled the Maquette Hilltoppers for a spot in the championship. Coach Pat O'Rourke '90 put the game into the hands of capable goaltender Ryan Von Keyserling, giving Savarino the day off.
The offensive shootout started early in the game when Cullen Frebes netted his first of the tournament off a pass from Benji Rechin. Three minutes later, the Hilltoppers scored on a breakaway on a shot just over the glove of Ryan Von Keyserling. The final seven minutes of the period were scoreless.
Marquette scored an early goal 25 seconds into the second. Whitney continued his all-star weekend with a goal to even it up. Sophomore studs Connor McGowan and Eric Lile joined the party to give the 'Cats a 4-2 lead. A very late goal by the Hilltoppers in the second sent the teams to the lockeroom at 4-3.
Savarino entered the game for the third, ending a great effort by Von Keyserling (10 saves on 14 shots). An odd bounce of the glass, and a penalty shot goal in the 3rd gave the Hilltoppers a 5-4 lead.
The Wildcats had three huge opportunities in the remaining six minutes. A Chris Revnew goal was called back, and two amazing back-to-back saves were made by the Hilltoppers' goalie and the Wildcats lost by one. Savarino finished out strong with 8 more saves, and only gave up two goals that were not his fault.
The Wildcats have thee big league games this weekend, against Padua (7:00 p.m. at OBM, Friday), University School (7:30 p.m. at Cleveland Heights, Saturday) and Gilmour (noon at Gilmour on Sunday).