WILDCATS CAPTURE THEIR CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENT BY DEFEATING THE LANCERS FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO DAYS.
LIAM GEITHER AND COLTON RIEMENSCHNEIDER EACH FIND THE NET TWICE AS SAINT IGNATIUS RUNS ITS STREAK TO 11.
POSTED ON 12/29/10 AT 2:56 P.M.
Coach Pat O'Rourke '90 and his Wildcats varsity hockey team are celebrating a holiday championship this afternoon, the result of a solid 6-3 victory over the Lancers from Gilmour Academy in Wednesday's high-noon showdown at the John M. Coyne Recreation Center in Brooklyn.
In improving to 16-3, the 'Cats extended their winning streak to 11 games and brought home the championship trophy of their Christmas Tournament for the first time. Along with two triumphs over Gilmour, Saint Ignatius also defeated Erie (Pa.) McDowell and Sylvania Northview in the three-day affair on Memphis Avenue.
St. Ignatius entered the championship game ranked second in the state poll and the Lancers, who are now 2-2 against the 'Cats this season, are ranked sixth. Toledo St. Francis is Ohio's top ranked team in the initial poll of the season.
Gilmour jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Wednesday, scoring at the 9:54 mark.
Colton Riemenschneider tied the score off a power play at 6:17, a goal that was assisted by captain Paddy Spellacy and Miles McQuinn.
Mike Abood put the Wildcats in front, 2-1, as he tallied off a McQuinn assist at 2:52 and Riemenschneider struck again early in the second period off an assist from Kevin Joseph.
Gilmour closed to 3-2 at 10:05 of the second period, but Liam Geither, the Christmas Tournament MVP, delivered an authoritative shot off another McQuinn assist - an effort that impressed Saint Ignatius' hockey savvy lead broadcaster Mike Watts '11 - and the 'Cats took a two-goal advantage into the final 15 minutes.
Geither, who was Mr. Clutch in last season's district tournament, gave the defending state champs a three-goal cushion with a back hander at 7:21 of the third period.
After Spellacy came up with his 22nd lamp lighter of the season, the 'Cats were in command with 5:35 left. Andrew Steed assisted on Spellacy's goal.
The Lancers would score off a power play with just over five minutes remaining, but the afternoon, the game and the title trophy belonged to Saint Ignatius.
Next up for the Wildcats are two demanding Red North Division games to start the New Year. On Sunday, Jan. 2, they will face University School at The Pond and on Thursday, Jan. 6, it's another match up with longtime rival St. Edward, this time at Winterhurst. Both games are scheduled for 7:10 p.m. University School is ranked fifth in the state poll and the Eagles are ranked third.
The corner, Fr. Jack Murphy, Coach Sean O'Toole '87 and his Wildcats varsity basketball team wish to express our long-distance congratulations (via North Bethesda, Maryland) to Coach O'Rourke, Geither and Co., and the crafty Saint Ignatius Broadcasting Network.
And again, stay hot on the ice my friends.