Benny Savarino’s high school decision came down to one thing – challenges.
Savarino wanted to be challenged in everything he did. He wanted classes to be challenging and he wanted to be challenged to go the extra mile in everything he did.
Savarino decided to attend Saint Ignatius High School, and the rest is history.
“Benny is having another stellar year,” said Head Coach Pat O’Rourke ‘90. “He is approaching some school records, but I know his focus is on trying to win a fourth state championship ring. He's a captain and a leader and he has been a rock between the pipes for three years now. More importantly, he's a great student and fine young man. It's sad to think that we only have a few more weeks together, but at the same time it's been fun to watch him grow as a person and a player, so I'm just going to enjoy it and try to help him reach his goals."
Savarino has been between the pipes for two Saint Ignatius hockey state championships and will lead the Wildcats into the 2018-19 playoffs with a chip on his shoulder.
That chip on his shoulder is what led him to Saint Ignatius High School – challenge. Savarino has been challenged to be a leader of his peers and help reach his mission of a state title.
“When Benny was five years old, all he wanted for his birthday was goalie gear,” said Mrs. Lynnette Savarino, Benny’s mom. “From that point on, he never looked back.”
Savarino began playing hockey at a young age and quickly excelled when he tried playing the goalie. Benny played his youth days most notably for the Cleveland Lumberjacks before deciding what high school was right for him.
Savarino entered his freshman year at Wildcat High as the goaltender for the Saint Ignatius U15 team. Savarino’s consistent play as a freshman earned him a call-up to dress behind Dylan McKeon in a regular season game versus Walsh Jesuit, before eventually being called up full-time to learn behind McKeon.
McKeon was a three-year starter for the Ice Cats, and won state championships in his sophomore and senior years.
McKeon holds the school record with 29 career shutouts.
“I told him to never let the moment get too big for him,” said McKeon. “He’s a great goaltender and if he focuses on his game, he and the rest of his defense should have no problems.”
As a sophomore, Savarino took the reins from McKeon and never looked back.
Benny’s impact was almost immediate. In his second career start, Benny made three key saves in a shootout to win his first career start at the Upper Canada College Thanksgiving Tournament. It was ever-so-fitting that Benny’s first and last career regular season wins came on the same exact rink with more than two years spanning between the wins.
Savarino’s next two starts are two that he will always remember.
Savarino’s first start following the UCC Thanksgiving Tournament was a 3-0 shutout win over Walsh Jesuit at Quicken Loans Arena. The following day, Savarino’s goaltending in overtime helped the Wildcats win Savarino’s first career home start by defeating St. Edward.
Benny Savarino has always been known to rebound and the first sign of the captain’s relentless resiliency came at the 2016 Padua Holiday Classic. Following two round robin wins by a score of 16-5, the Wildcats were sitting pretty.
Savarino’s first tough start came on a Saturday night when the Wildcats fell 6-3 to Toledo Saint Francis. Savarino responded in the calm, collected way he always has the next day when the Wildcats beat Saint Francis, 6-3. This win was the Wildcats’ first Padua Holiday Classic Tournament title.
His excellent rookie campaign continued as the Wildcats went 9-1-0 in league play and entered the Cleveland Cup tournament. Savarino played some of his best hockey at the Cleveland Cup tourney, as he went 3-0-0 and allowed just three goals in the tournament.
Savarino’s 2.00 goals-against-average was a key factor in the OHSAA State playoffs. Savarino earned a shutout win versus Holy Name, and persevered after a two-goal deficit to beat Saint Edward and clinch a spot in the Final Four. No matter how pressed his back has been against the wall, Savarino has never let the moment get too big for him and he’s kept fighting.
Benny’s first trip to Columbus for the OHSAA State Frozen Four played at Nationwide Arena was a memorable weekend. After falling earlier in the year 4-2 to University School, the Wildcats’ only GLHL loss, the Ice Cats were tasked with beating US to advance to the state title game. The Wildcats trailed 3-1 after the second period.
In a locker room that was quiet, one of the first voices to be heard was that of a reassuring sophomore telling his team that it was time to come back and that they did. Chris Revnew and Andrew Zedella both tallied third-period goals to send the game to overtime.
Savarino made many saves to keep the Preppers’ total at three in the third period. The overtime of the State Semifinal showed Savarino’s skill. Savarino made key saves on multiple odd-man rushes, and a breakaway opportunity in overtime. Bain Kurtz was able to score in overtime after receiving a pass from Michael McCaffrey.
Savarino did not let the moment get too big for him. Savarino stopped 27-of-30 shots on the way to the state title game.
A common theme with Benny Savarino, regardless of who you talk to, is the moment is never too big for him. One of the best examples of this is the 2017 State Championship game.
Savarino, who had allowed nine goals against Saint Francis in the previous two matchups, put on his best performance of the season when it mattered most by posting a 30-save effort as the Wildcats beat Saint Francis 5-1.
Benny finished his first season with a 25-7-1 record and a 1.92 goals-against-average. Savarino posted a .933% save percentage in the final four. Savarino also finished the year with five shutouts.
Most people would be content with winning a state championship. Benny Savarino has a work ethic that doesn’t allow him to settle for winning just one. Savarino loves challenges, and his next challenge was to be the first goaltender in school history to win back-to-back state championships, while looking to help his team win their third consecutive title.
Because of his fierce competitiveness and leadership capabilities, Savarino was named assistant captain for the 2017-18 season. While Savarino, along with fellow seniors Connor McGowan and Eric Lile, was a “baby” of the 2016-17 season, he quickly needed to transform into being a leader because of the amount of skaters graduated.
Savarino’s second year as a starter began with a bang. Savarino went 2-1-0 with a 2.00 goals-against-average against three top tier Prep teams at the Shady Side Thanksgiving Tournament.
As Savarino grew with confidence, his play continued to trend upwards. Savarino shut out Saint Edward for the first time with a 2-0 win at Brooklyn early last season. Savarino made multiple big penalty kill saves throughout the contest and made his best start to date.
The consistency of Savarino has been unmatched. Having a leader like Benny in net has made a world of difference to the Saint Ignatius hockey program.
“Benny has been a huge part of this program since he entered his freshman year,” said Wildcats’ Director of Player Personnel Robert Gramc. “He is a great leader on and off the ice. He has worked very hard to hone his craft to be not only the best goalie in the state year in and year out but also go down as one of the best in program history. He is one of the most driven hockey players that I have been around in 12 years of coaching. He is a fierce competitor as well as good mentor for the younger goalies. The moment is never too big for Benny, he has played his best versus some of the stiff competition in the United States and Canada. He has received some interest from NAHL and USHL teams. I’m excited to see what the future holds for him after he graduates.”
Savarino won his next four starts, allowing only three goals, and picked up a shutout win versus Sylvania Northview in the Padua Holiday Classic championship game. In Savarino’s two Padua Holiday Classic tournament championship games, he allowed only three goals as the Wildcats outscored opponents, 9-3.
Savarino’s resilient mindset was once again noticeable when his Wildcats trailed 5-1 against Loyola Academy. In a tournament where two 25-minute halves are played, the Wildcats found themselves trailing and being heavily outshot. Savarino stood tall in net in the second half, while the Wildcats in front of him rallied for five goals, as the game ended in a tie.
“Ben has always loved goaltending and I have equally loved watching him play,” said Mrs. Savarino. “Win or lose, it never mattered, he is in it to be his best to help his team. His ability to regroup (and usually step up his game) after a goal, or five goals (like the Purple Puck), has always been his greatest asset to me - one I greatly admire.”
In the remaining four games of the Purple Puck Tournament, Savarino allowed just three goals in four games, while posting a shutout against St. Joseph from Philadelphia.
Savarino was scorching hot throughout his junior season. Savarino soon after took the Wildcats to Michigan, where they upset Hartland and Brighton behind Savarino’s excellent play. Benny only allowed one goal in each game, and gave his team a chance to win in two hostile environments. Savarino stopped 23 pucks in the victory over Hartland, and played the most remarkable game I have ever seen from a goalie, as he stopped 40 shots versus Brighton the next day.
The win over Brighton was so big to the program following a loss at the MIHL Showcase the year before. Savarino kept on conquering his challenges and receiving more and more accolades.
At the PHSF Showcase in Toronto, Savarino allowed only two goals in three starts, while also shutting out two opponents. Savarino has always been very humble as he remarked after the showcase that “my defense has helped me make a lot of the saves I should have made, and I have also been lucky to save the ones I shouldn’t have saved.”
Following a 5-1 loss to the Hill Academy, and senior captain Michael McCaffrey getting hurt for what at the time seemed like the balance of his senior season, the Wildcats needed a spark.
Despite allowing a breakaway goal and a tipped shot to find twine, Savarino made a 26-save effort and stood on his head in the third period to help the Wildcats respond and beat the Hill 3-2. Michael Boehm also scored a once-in-a-lifetime goal as time dwindled to lift the Wildcats over their Canadian opponents.
As he did this season, Savarino ended his regular season with a shutout win over Everest Academy.
Savarino’s play in the playoffs was one of the main factors in the Wildcats getting to the state final. Savarino stopped 17 of the 18 shots he faced versus Rocky River, and helped the Wildcats advance to a District Final rematch with Saint Edward, whom the Wildcats had beaten the year before.
Savarino produced his second shutout of the Eagles, and his goaltending clinched the Wildcats’ spot in Columbus.
Savarino allowed only one goal to Dublin Jerome in the state semi, and the Wildcats advanced to the state final with Savarino allowing only two goals in his three starts.
Benny battled the whole way in the state title game stopping 13-of-14 shots in the first period, and allowed one goal in the second period after being screened on the power play. Despite allowing two third-period goals, Savarino stopped every shot he faced in overtime. Savarino was mobbed by teammates following the 5-4 2OT win over Saint Francis.
Savarino has been challenged his whole life. He was named captain alongside Connor McGowan for the 2018-19 season. Savarino has been challenged by history to win a third consecutive state title, and help his team win their fourth straight title. Savarino has led a veteran group into this season’s playoffs, and he has played exceptionally all season.
“It is a great privilege to play for this program and face such a tough schedule,” said Savarino. “It is exciting to have a shot at history, and I think it makes my senior season that much more special. Knowing that I have a chance to compete for a state title every year is a blessing.”
Savarino is 17-7-1 entering the playoffs, and has five shutouts on the season. Savarino’s 2.17 goals-against-average is remarkable given the tough competition the Wildcats have faced.
One of Savarino’s best weekends of the year came when the Wildcats swept Hartland and Brighton for the second straight season. Savarino picked up his 50th career win when he stopped a crazy extra-man attack from Hartland, and helped secure a 2-1 win.
The Wildcats trailed Brighton 3-0, but Savarino continued to play well. Savarino stopped a key odd-man rush in the second period to keep the Bulldogs at three, as the Wildcats began to come back. Benny Savarino and the Wildcat penalty killers, most notably David Strick, stopped a wild end-of-regulation power play from Brighton, before Michael Boehm’s coup-de-grace in overtime.
Allowing only one goal versus Saint Edward, Savarino continued his strong regular season. Benny continued his efforts during the Wildcats’ trip to the University of Notre Dame by stopping all but one of the shots he faced in the two-game set versus A21 Academy.
Another challenge was knocked down by Savarino when he achieved his first win at the MIHL Showcase by beating UD Jesuit, 6-2.
Savarino ended his regular season career where it started, at Upper Canada College. His first and last regular season loss came on the George Mara rink, and his first and last regular season win came on the Eaton rink.
Savarino’s career is not yet finished.
“We aren’t done yet,” said Savarino. “We are more motivated than ever as seniors to finish what we started.”
“Benny is one of the first guys who really bought into the idea that he could play high school hockey and still get looks from junior and college teams,” said Coach O’Rourke. “That faith paid off last year as scout after scout talked to him after our games. On ice, I hope that we’ve rewarded his faith, too, as Benny is the proud owner of 3 state title rings, with hopes of winning a 4th this year. He is ultra-competitive in net, and athletic to boot, which is a quality that some of the goalies who are bigger than Benny don’t always have. His save selection and rebound control are good, and he knows how to pace a game and control it from his crease. When we look back on this whole thing in 20 years or so, we’ll point to Benny as the one who really believed in us and our vision and hopefully in a few years, we’ll be watching him play in college games.”
Savarino’s faith sure has paid off. The senior captain has helped make the dream possible for everyone in this program. Savarino and his Wildcats have gotten the dreamers to see that advancing from high school to college hockey is possible, and those same Wildcats are heavily motivated entering the playoffs.
Savarino has one last challenge at his hands, and that is to win the state title. Luckily, there's nothing Savarino loves more than a good challenge.
The Wildcats face Brecksville-Broadview Heights this Saturday at noon.