COLUMBUS — University had its mettle tested to the core March 12 nearly midway through the second period in the state final against Olentangy Liberty.
The Preppers stared intently at Coach Andy Gerow after a timeout, facing a three-goal deficit that seemed an improbable hill to ascend against the powerful Patriots.
US didn’t reach the end of the comeback trail but did laudably to make it a game again at all.
Charlie Hughes netted a hat trick as Liberty took firm control, but Samonte Martin and Luke Palmer netted tallies 32 seconds apart in the second period for the Preppers to at least bring some intrigue back into the proceedings.
The Patriots got a fourth from Hughes at 9:25 of the third, though, an empty-netter later and went on to prevail, 6-2, capturing Central Ohio’s first OHSAA state title in hockey in the region’s second state final appearance.
The Preppers conclude the winter 29-9-1.
Nonetheless, US and its traveling faithful were visibly proud of its fightback under hazard conditions against the quick, thorough and dynamic 36-1 state champion Patriots.
“I mean, our whole team is heart,” US senior captain Kellen McGarry said. “We showed that today, and I couldn’t be prouder of (defenseman Will Genovese and fellow senior Martin) sitting next to me and the boys in the locker room. I love them all.”
#NHhockey US seniors Kellen McGarry & Will Genovese discuss the legacy of the 22-23 squad in returning to the frozen 4 pic.twitter.com/Wz0xPGOxQJ
— Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) March 12, 2023
Hughes went stickside at 5:37 of the second for a 2-0 advantage, and Andrew Leonard struck at 7:05 to make it 3-0, necessitating the early timeout from Gerow.
US pumped some life into its cause after another Hughes tally through Martin going five-hole from the right circle at 10:05, followed by a Palmer snapper at 10:37 to pull within 4-2.
“We say, ‘Up five goals, down five goals,'” Gerow said. “We play the same way, no matter what. We also say it’s easy to be a good teammate when it’s 70 and sunny — what happens when it’s raining sideways? These guys lived that, and they’re not just words.”
Palmer also had a good breakaway short-handed opportunity in the waning seconds of the period, but it was turned away.
Martin was unlucky with a tapper past the left bar at :49 of the third.
US had a power play at 3:13 after a hook, but Sam Wade was stymied twice to sandwich a McGarry look at 4:25.
For the Patriots, breaking through for the hardware which they proudly sat on the table in the postgame news conference didn’t just register within its community but also within its Central Ohio region.
“Growing up, high school hockey wasn’t really something we knew about until my freshman year,” Liberty senior defenseman Jacob Kempe said. “So I think this just put high school hockey on the map in Columbus.”
#NHhockey Olentangy Liberty coach Kevin Alexander discusses the perception of his team from a Greater Cleveland perspective after the Patriots win their first state championship & the first for Central Ohio pic.twitter.com/9hMBA4WHSn
— Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) March 12, 2023
Liberty took a 1-0 lead out of the opening period.
After having one waved off at 7:31 for goalie interference, the Patriots got their opener at 9:02.
On a power play, Liberty stalwart Hughes skated into the zone, broke the blue line with a pair of dekes and went beautifully to the backhand at the right bar.
“We asked them to play to the final whistle, and that’s what we did today,” Gerow said. “I am super proud of this group.”
#NHhockey US senior defenseman Will Genovese discusses the challenges Olentangy Liberty presented as an opponent in the state final pic.twitter.com/eIJCjEi31w
— Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) March 12, 2023
US snapped a frozen-four drought and showed mettle throughout the winter, be it that rough Great Lakes Hockey League weekend in January in losses to Walsh Jesuit and Padua that deterred a red-hot stretch to date, navigating three sites for district competition and more.
Genovese hopes this won’t be a one-time breakthrough — rather, with many more to come in firmly re-establishing US in the frozen four.
“This meant a lot to us,” Genovese said. “I think we set our goals at the beginning of the year, and we achieved most of them. We were a team that never quit.
“It was great to bring us back here and kind of pave the road for hopefully the younger guys next year. And hopefully, they have a different result next year. We did a great job getting back here. We stuck together and found our way back.”
#NHhockey It occurred to me when I got home I forgot to tweet 1 thing from today: US' pregame intros
Again, as always, I realize it's super far away
But with the scoreboard screen & how special the moment is, I figure it's worth sharing anyway
So here you go in 2 parts … pic.twitter.com/XTbJeZmGIt— Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) March 13, 2023
#NHhockey Olentangy Liberty's Vinny Rengel breaks down the defensive gameplan vs. US, & 4-goal scorer Charlie Hughes discusses unfamiliarity with an opponent in a state final & preferring the advantage that may present pic.twitter.com/Qxvr3DCKCj
— Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) March 12, 2023
