The Saint Ignatius Wildcats Prep Hockey team stands tall heading into the MIHL Showcase. Despite a lower body injury to captain Mike McCaffrey that kept him out of the second contest, the Wildcats broke even with Hill Academy, one of Canada’s top Prep teams.
After losing 5-1 in the Friday night contest, the Cats won 3-2 with a last minute goal from Michael Boehm.
The Wildcats, who previously defeated #5 and #7 in the state of Michigan Brighton and Hartland, will face No. 1 Detroit Central Catholic and No. 2 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s this weekend.
The Wildcats, who retained their #1 spot in both the Coaches Poll and MHR, will have their backs against the wall against this tough competition.
On Friday at 6 pm, the Wildcats open up the MIHL Showcase against No. 2 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. Last year, at this very same showcase, the Blue and Gold fell, 4-3, in a shootout after overcoming a two goal deficit with the goalie pulled. All three skating captains/alternate captains McCaffrey, Bain Kurtz, and Connor McGowan scored in the 4-3 loss.
The Eaglettes, sitting pretty at 12-4-1, beat Shady Side Academy, 5-4, after falling, 5-1, the day before. The Cats were defeated, 4-1, by the Indians of Shady Side. St. Mary’s lost 3-2 to the same Brighton team the Cats recently beat, 2-1. The Eaglettes have 16 seniors on the roster along with 7 juniors. The Eaglettes are favored by about half a goal according to MHR.
Detroit Central Catholic, the Wildcats’ Saturday opponent, holds a 16-2-1 record and hasn’t lost since the first two games of the season, against Culver Academies. The Shamrocks will play a rematch of those early season contests on Friday. DCC only has one common opponent of the Wildcats, which is Brighton. DCC beat Brighton soundly, 3-0. The 17-time state champions of Michigan have 20 upperclassmen, and five sophomores, considerably older than the primarily sophomore Wildcat team. DCC is a 2 ½ goal favorite over the Wildcats and widely regarded as one of, if not the best, high school teams in the country.
Benny Savarino, the 17-4-1 junior goaltender with a 1.77 GAA, will get the nod from Coach O’Rourke between the pipes in both games. Savarino played very well in his rebound effort Saturday, following Friday’s loss. Everyone on the team looked considerably more ready for the high level of competition they will face this weekend in the second Hill game.
Savarino has played very well to date in his second campaign. In his career, Savarino has compiled a 42-11-2 record with ten shutouts. Benny has already matched his shutout total from last year, and a great regular season finish and deep state tournament run could help him eclipse his 25 wins of last season. That is much easier said than done, as the Wildcats remaining 5-to-7 contests will all be close games. The State tournament always provides close games as well.
The Wildcats’ defense played strong for Savarino Saturday, and a key weekend from the six will be vital for more success in Michigan. The Wildcats are 5-1-0 against Michigan teams with their only loss being the Fox Motors game.
The SIBN will cover both of this weekend’s games, so make sure to tune in. Follow the game on Twitter @SIHSPREPHOCKEY.