COLUMBUS — It’s not that the hardware isn’t finely crafted or that it won’t take up a prominent place in the trophy case in Hunting Valley.
Given THE goal University had for this season however, being one game away from what would culminate all its toil, that hardware — for now — may as well be scrap wood and metal.
It’ll feel better, perhaps, as the days, months and years accumulate.
Not March 10, and not imminently.
Braden Esenwine scored a pair of goals as St. Ignatius, with a crisp performance, toppled US, 4-1, in the state championship game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus.
The Preppers conclude a special campaign 36-4, state runner-up for the fifth time and still in search of their first state crown since 2008-09 and third in their program lore.
As the Wildcats (28-8) celebrated their eighth state title and fifth since 2016 as zeroes hit, several US student-athletes skated around the ice with no real aim, leaning forward with the weight of the moment’s totality clear.
“We weren’t connecting on some of our passes. They did a nice job. They had a nice game plan,” Preppers coach Andy Gerow said. “They were limiting our stuff through the neutral zone, clogging the middle. So those things kind of didn’t allow us to get the chances that we normally get.
“But we thought we kind of turned it on in the third period and never gave up. And that’s what I’ll remember most about not only today, but this group. Just their continuous work ethic and effort. Never quit.”
St. Ignatius, which is now 5-0 against News-Herald coverage area squads in the frozen four all-time, took a 1-0 advantage out of the opening period.
The Wildcats went on the power play after a crosschecking penalty amid a chippy sequence. Nolan Ignacio carried wide through the left circle and cashed in at the left bar at 11:39.
US had some decent looks in the opening 15. Sam Wade hit a bar at :30, and Ethan Roberts had a deep rebound look turned away at 6:17.
In the second, the Preppers’ Anthony Messina was turned away at 3:36, and US goaltender Noah Caballero came up with a big stop at 7:22 to keep it 1-0.
A power play came the Preppers’ way at 9:54 courtesy of a roughing penalty along the boards.
For as generous as special teams have been for US all season, with 16 short-handed goals and a power play firing above 30%, it swung the opposite direction this time.
Ryder Beegun made a laudable backcheck play to deny on a 2-on-1 odd-man and carried into his offensive zone, starting a cycle. But on the second pass, Esenwine generated a turnover on the blue line. The St. Ignatius senior forward skated in and slotted a look from the right side at 10:51 for a short-handed tally to go up, 2-0.
The Preppers came out with an encouraging first-line push on the opening shift of the third. Messina found Luke Palmer for a deep wrister 10 seconds in, which was denied.
Right back down the ice, Esenwine lit the lamp for his second of the afternoon to extend it to 3-0.
“I think that (1-0 Greater Ohio Hockey League tournament final loss in January) was a little bit like today, with kind of a chess match going on, with it being 1-0 (deep into the second),” Gerow said. “The first (game, a 5-4 US win in December) was a little bit more run and gun. Today, credit to them. They got the power play goal early to get them going and then kind of built off that.”
Palmer put away a wrister at 7:30 to get US within 3-1. It was the senior’s 28th goal of the campaign. He is one of 13 student-athletes in News-Herald coverage area history to record at least four career points in the frozen four and one of seven with at least three goals.
With 3:49 left, after Palmer had nice wide carry and a good look that was stopped, a timeout was called and Caballero was pulled for an extra attacker. To no avail, though, as Justin Frederick’s empty-netter with four seconds remaining provided the final margin.
Right at the final horn, in arguably a symbolism gesture beyond what was intended, senior netminder Caballero was met by two underclassman teammates, junior defenseman Mitch Langal and forward Ethan Roberts, to provide comfort, moments before the rest of the team convened at the net.
US still seeks to add another season to that familiar banner at the Cleveland Heights Pavilion, now 15 years removed from its last state championship in hockey.
The runner-up trophy may — for now — feel like scrap wood and metal.
But senior captains Luca Garofalo and Wade are hopeful the program’s day will come again soon.
🏒 US senior captains Luca Garofalo & Sam Wade discuss the takeaways from a 36-4 campaign & the message to those returning to carry the mantle after a 4-1 state final loss to St. Ignatius
(on a light note, sorry about the mic/Sam there … obviously couldn't control that) pic.twitter.com/QoHCug7HEB— Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) March 10, 2024
“I think this is going to be big for the guys going forward,” Garofalo said. “I feel like us seniors set a pretty good standard. Gerow said in the locker room: When we came into this program, US wasn’t really what it was in previous years. I know a lot of guys, myself included, we wanted to kind of get that program back to what it is, to one of the best teams in the state — winning the district year after year.
“And that’s what we did. That’s exciting, and I feel like we set a good standard. I feel like next year, the guys will have that same mindset and know what to do to get back to this moment. I just hope that they can get it done.”
Wade added: “Just work as hard as you can for four years. Our time in high school is limited, and once it’s over, you’ll want it back instantly. I feel like that’s how everyone is feeling right now. So the message to (the younger guys) is put your head down. Work. You’ve only got so much time.”
🏒 Here are US pregame player intros for the state final vs. St. Ignatius
As always, yes I know it's not the best video/angle, but just a moment I like to capture when we get NH area teams down here pic.twitter.com/b3Hle3mYb7— Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) March 10, 2024
THE SCORE
St. Ignatius 4, University 1
