McQuinn and Gerard provide the drama as the Ice 'Cats rally past Liberty.

By Eddie Dwyer

Saint Ignatius' outstanding senior forward and captain Miles McQuinn scored the game-winning goal with 44 seconds remaining, leading the Wildcats' varsity hockey team to a 3-2 victory over a very talented program from Olentangy Liberty during Saturday's action in the annual DiPaolo Memorial Tournament at Miami of Ohio. It was McQuinn's second goal of the game.

A state final-four team in 2010-11, Olentangy Liberty led, 2-1, after two periods. Youth was served, however, as Saint Ignatius' promising freshman forward Cam Gerard knotted the score on a power-play goal.

McQuinn, one of the premier players in Wildcats' ice hockey history, has totaled 4 goals and 4 assists in the 'Cats' first three games. Sophomore forward Matty Geither also had an assist against Liberty.

Saint Ignatius senior Mike Mulach was outstanding in goal, saving 26 shots.

*The Wildcats (3-0) will now gear up for Sunday's championship game against Toledo St. John's Jesuit (3-0) after dominating Oxford Talawanda, 7-1, in Saturday evening's action. The puck will drop at 9 a.m. on Sunday.

Providing the lamp lighters against the Talawanda Braves were Nick Gajkowski (2), Cam Gerard (2), Harry Smith, Jack Wiegandt and Beck Schultz. Here is the summary from the Talawanda game, courtesy of head coach Pat O'Rourke and Mr. and Mrs. McQuinn.

First Period: Saint Ignatius goal by #20 Gajkowski, unassisted; Saint Ignatius goal by #11 Weigandt, assists by #3 Ellis and #22 Sellers; Saint Ignatius goal by #21 Smith, unassisted; Saint Ignatius goal by #4 Gerard, assists by #7 Fitzgerald and #22 Sellers.

Second Period: Saint Ignatius goal by #4 Gerard, assists by #17 McQuinn and #7 Fitzgerald; Saint Ignatius goal by #10 Schultz, assists by #7 Fitzgerald and #3 Ellis.

Third Period: Saint Ignatius goal by #20 Gajkowski, assist by #14 Stepka; Talawanda goal by #87 Tafelski, assist by #55 McQueen.

Highlights: 2 goal performances each by defenseman Gajkowski and freshman forward Gerard, 3 assist game by Fitzgerald, 2 assist game by Ellis and Sellers, and senior goalie Sean Williams was solid in his first start.