Coach Pat O’Rourke’s squad handled their business Saturday night versus Gonzaga to win the 25th Annual Purple Puck Tournament in Washington DC.
Gonzaga, who the Cats previously beat 5-1, had gotten two of their top players back. The Blue and Gold won their fourth contest of the weekend and second versus the Eagles, 5-1.
The scoring started five minutes into the contest when Wildcat defender and top offensive defenseman Greg Langermeier made a pass to Joey Trobenter, and Trobenter finished the pass past Dom Basse.
Gonzaga tied the game up just four minutes later with a tip-in goal. This would be the only goal Benny Savarino allowed, as the superstar junior netminder finished the weekend with a 1.60 goals against average. Savarino has emerged to be, in this writer’s opinion, the #1 goaltender in the state of Ohio, and Savarino backed up the claim by allowing on average under one goal a game on the last four games of the tourney. Savarino is 12-2-1 on the season.
The Wildcats grabbed the lead back when sophomore star Michael Boehm made a beautiful backdoor pass to standout two way forward Connor McGowan, who put the puck on his backhand and roofed it over the goalie’s glove.
Just sixteen seconds into the second half, McGowan found Eric Lile and Lile being the consistent goal-scorer he is, put the puck past Basse. Captain Mike McCaffrey and Lile assisted on a Bain Kurtz goal, and Langermeier found Trobenter for a second time to finish off the 4-goal win.
The Wildcats improved to 15-2-1 and have a 13 game unbeaten streak heading into this weekend’s Fox Motors contest from Grand Rapids.
Jack O’Rourke and Max Marazzi will provide the call on SIBN so make sure to tune into the 8 pm game from the Upper Peninsula.
Finally, writing the last article of 2017, I would like to speak for all members of the SIBN and Student Sports Information Department when I give a major thank you. Thank you to all the players who are so cooperative to participate in articles and interviews as well as coaches who always are willing to take a minute of their time to help. On the coach’s side, I’d especially like to thank Pat O’Rourke ’90 for his constant participation in interviews and Coach Franzinger ‘02, who spent fifteen minutes of his time helping me prepare for my first football broadcast teaching me more about defense than all my previous knowledge. Thank you to Mr. Ginley and Mr. McCormick who always help us writers and broadcasters with feedback. And finally, most of all the viewers and readers, whose tips and compliments help us always to strive to be better. From all on the SIBN and SSID we’d like to wish you an amazing New Year.