THE RED NORTH DIVISION IS UP FOR GRABS, AS FOUR TEAMS ARE NOW BUNDLED TIGHTLY AFTER ST. EDWARD DEFEATS THE 'CATS, 2-1, AT WINTERHURST ON THURSDAY NIGHT.
SAINT IGNATIUS AND ST. EDWARD HAVE SPLIT THEIR TWO MEETINGS THIS SEASON AND COULD MEET AGAIN NEXT WEEK AT THE MEADVILLE (PA.) TOURNAMENT.
POSTED ON 1/7/11 AT 12:17 A.M.
By Eddie Dwyer
Copyright, January 2011
Saint Ignatius head coach Pat O'Rourke '90 doesn't need to be reminded about the roller-coaster ride of emotions that accompany the game of ice hockey.
As a former player, he realizes it is a great game that can bring jubilation one minute or one period, and rip your heart out the next.
On the ice, emotions have to be at a peak for 45 minutes or more, if called for. Simply put, there is no marriage between contentment and one of the most demanding sports you will find at any level.
Just ask Coach O'Rourke.
“I thought it was lackluster effort (on our part),” O'Rourke said after the Wildcats were defeated by St. Edward, 2-1, in a key Red North Division game in Serpentini Arena at Winterhurst on Thursday night. “It was uninspired.
“We knew they were going to come out hitting and we hit okay, but not great. I don't know. They scored first and we were able to get back even. But we had nothing cooking on offense. We weren't flying like we usually do.”
St. Edward, which is now 12-6-2 overall, joins the Wildcats (16-5) with a record of 4-2 in the demanding Red North Division. Through Thursday night, Strongsville was 3-1-1 in the division and University School stood 3-2. Now that's a race my friends.
The Eagles, who were coming off an overtime loss to Lake Catholic in Mentor, came out aggressive and took a 1-0 lead on a goal by sophomore forward Gabe Lampron at the 12:45 mark of the first period. Fellow sophomore forward Connor King tallied the assist. St. Edward had seven shots on goal in the first 15 minutes, while the 'Cats were credited with five.
In the second period, Saint Ignatius picked up its offensive approach and tied the score on a goal by standout sophomore center Miles McQuinn, an authoritative shot from the left side at 9:54. Junior wings Liam Geither and Mike Abood were on the assists.
The Wildcats, with senior Josh Potts doing a solid job in goal, out-shot the Eagles, 10-9, in the second period.
After surviving penalty situations that had it down two players early in the third period, St. Edward, back at full strength, scored the game winner on a rebound flick by junior forward Mick Bartholomew off an assist from senior forward Danny O'Sullivan with 6:58 remaining.
The Eagles were whistled for icing twice in the final minute and 16 seconds, but as Coach O'Rourke emphasized, the 'Cats' offense, which had a 12-6 shots-on-goal advantage over the final 15 minutes, couldn't catch fire.
For the game, Saint Ignatius totaled 27 shots on goal to the Eagles' 22.
“We're in a little slump right now,” said Coach O'Rourke, who guided the Wildcats to the state championship last March. “We lost on Sunday night in a tough fashion (5-4 in overtime to University School). We've got to end the streak (two losses after 11 consecutive victories) as soon as possible. The problem is that we're off for the next seven days.
“We had a chance to take charge in the division tonight, and now it's back to square one I guess,” O'Rourke continued. “We didn't play aggressive enough and if we do that in the state tournament, we're done.
“We have to tidy up a few things in our defensive zone and I am sure the film will be very educational in this game. We'll probably watch it tomorrow.”