Blackhawk Cup Boys Semifinals

Monday night was going to start with a repeat of last years semifinal with St. Rita taking on New Trier. These teams match up so well against each other that you knew it would be a good close game. They skated to a 0-0 tie after one period. About midway through the second period with St. Rita on the power play, New Trier was clearing the puck out of their zone when the puck hit off the scoreboard, redirected down, and right onto the stick of Matthews for New Trier who skated in 1-1 with St. Rita's goaltender and beat him top shelf for a 1-0 lead. The stands were going crazy, half of them pointing to the scoreboard and the other half screaming for the goal. Since there's no going to Toronto to get the right call and none of the refs saw it the goal stood and it was now 1-0. St. Rita was able to get a quick third period goal to make it 1-1 but shortly after gave up a second goal to NT. Again NT held on to a 1 goal lead in the final period for the second game in a row. St. Rita had some difficulties getting the goalie off the ice and had made some valiant attempts to get the equalizer but New Trier was able to hold on and punch the first ticket to the state championship.

The second game of the night started out with Fenwick dominating in time of possession and shots but the scoreboard rang up at 0's as the first expired. Glenbrook North did a great job of figuring out the trap that Fenwick was using against them in the second and was able to mount some offensive possessions of their own. Some nice goals were scored by both teams and the third started off with the teams being knotted up at 2. Glenbrook North was able to pop in a goal to make it 3-2. All game long senior goaltender Troy Carroll (GN) was getting peppered with shots, but after falling behind Fenwick turned the pressure up. Carroll stood poised in the net and put up the performance of the tournament. Fenwick had gotten so many quality opportunities, many from right in front of the net and Carroll stood on his head and denied them. He finished the game with 48 saves on 50 shots according to our stats, but even our statistician believes he missed a few. Carroll put the team on his back and punched their ticket to the finals to play New Trier.