Blackhawk Cup Quarterfinals

An exciting year of hockey was capped off with an exciting two days of playoffs leading up to the championship game. The match-ups were all set with Fenwick vs. Barrington, Loyola vs. Glenbrook North, New Trier vs Stevenson, and St. Viator vs. St. Rita. The day started off with the number 1 overall seed Fenwick taking care of business against Barrington. It seemed Barrington couldn't figure out the trap that Fenwick was using on them to get the puck out of their own zone and Fenwick made them pay early and often and won the game 8-3. Following that game defending state champions St. Rita handled St Viator pretty comfortably themselves. Between Ticonsik and Roman St. rita was able to get a cushioned lead and hold on for the 6-1 victory. Following up an early session of some blowouts New Trier Green and Stevenson took to the ice. New Trier jumped out early in this game and going into the third looked like the 3-1 score was going to be enough. Then Stevenson found their skating legs and got some fortunate opportunities in this game and got it to 3-2. Stevenson looked to be mounting a huge comeback. They out shot NT in the closing minutes and after pulling their goalie had a great effort out on the ice trying to get the equalizer. Unfortunately Greg Smart and Tyler Pecka seemed to be too much for Stevenson and helped NT hold on for the 3-2 final. The excitement had been building in the arena as now there was a close game. Then the fourth and final game started. Loyola jumped out early over Glenbrook North 2-0. Glenbrook mounted a comeback and took an eventual 4-3 lead. With time running out on Loyola, they pulled their goaltender and went 6-5 with Glenbrook North. As the seconds were ticking off the clock in the third period it looked as if GN was going to hold on when Loyola snapped off a shot from just inside the blue line, bodies were flying everywhere, sticks making mad dashes at the puck and with about 30 seconds left the ref made the signal for the goal. Tied at 4 going into overtime it seemed either of these teams could end this at any second, but then something amazing unfolded in front of us. A goaltender battle for the ages. Both teams had breakaway chances, traffic in front of the net, and one time chances, and both goalies stood on their heads and defended their crease with such unbelievable saves it was a shame one team was going to lose. Finally in the THIRD overtime, Loyola was controlling the puck in their own zone when Jack Day of GN picked the pocket of a Loyola player, turned around and let a wrist shot go from between the circles to beat Loyola's goalie top shelf for the game winner. This was going to set up the match-ups between St. Rita vs. New Trier Green and Fenwick vs. Glenbrook North.