#1 Sylvania Northview (21-8-2) vs. #3 Toledo St. Francis (14-16-1)
7:00 p.m. Friday, March 6
Sylvania Tam-O-Shanter; 7060 Sylvania Ave., Sylvania, OH

Season series:
November 24; Northview 3, St. Francis 2
January 31; Northview 6, St. Francis 3

 

This makes 11 straight years that either Sylvania Northview or Toledo St. Francis will represent Northwest Ohio at the state tournament.  The Wildcats, as the #1 seed, were expected to be here, but after four consecutive district titles from 2015-2018 St. Francis is in the second year of a down-cycle by their standards.  But the Knights won when they needed to and have given themselves a shot at returning to the big stage in Columbus.

Northview head coach Steve Elliott said that the Red Division of the Northwest Hockey Conference is as close as he can remember it being over the past 10-15 years.  The Wildcats faced a unique challenge in the Sylvania District quarterfinals.  The top-seeded Wildcats found themselves facing #2 Toledo St. John’s in their opening game of the post-season.

“St. John’s coming after us as the #2 seed did create for an amazing atmosphere two weeks ago,” he said.  “And quite frankly it was a game I wanted to win as much as any I can remember in my 23 years.”

Elliott admitted that winning that game did create a different atmosphere around the team.  It also created the possibility of Perrysburg being a trap game in the semifinal.

“I thought we had a very workmanlike effort in getting that win,” Elliott said.  “I give Perrysburg a ton of credit as they played very hard and created numerous opportunities though we held a pretty good advantage in total shots.”

The Sylvania District champion will go up against the Columbus champion in the state semifinals.  Elliott was as shocked as anybody when undefeated Upper Arlington was knocked out of the Columbus bracket.

“I feel for those guys,” he said.  “A really good group of kids and a great coaching staff and they had a special year.”

Elliott remembered a discussion he had with former Northview head coach Mike Jones after an undefeated Wildcats team lost to Dublin Jerome at a holiday tournament in Kent in 2012.  Northview went on to win the state title later that year.

“We felt like it was the best thing to ever happen, so we didn't enter the state tournament undefeated,” Elliott remembered.  “Having that perfect record can sometimes be added pressure.”

Elliott says that, while his team is aware a major obstacle was removed from their path, they are still focused on Friday’s tilt.

“St. Francis is a very good team and has been arguably one of the top two programs in the state over the past six seasons,” Elliott pointed out.

Defenseman David Crandall leads the Wildcats in assists (34) and points (56).  Jeffrey Wood’s 24 goals are tops on the team, but it was Griffin Muir’s 16th tally of the season that propelled Northview past St. John’s in overtime.

Tyler Clem has been in net for every game over the past two seasons and boasts a 2.59 goals-against average and .884 save percentage this season.  He shut out Perrysburg (4-0) in the semis last week.

Toledo St. Francis has a storied history in the Sylvania District tournament, but they are a bit of a surprise finalist this year.  A 6-3 loss to Upper Arlington on December 21 put the Knights record at 4-10-0.  Their play improved in the second half, but they entered the post-season four games below .500 and have not dominated in post-season wins over Anthony Wayne (4-2) and Bowling Green (1-0).

But tradition and experience does seem to count for something in high school hockey.  Northview's trip to the state tournament last year does not give them a monopoly on big-game experience in this game. 

St. Francis has seven players that were on the team that lost in double-overtime to Saint Ignatius in the 2018 state final.  Senior forwards Dawson Booth, Nick Coward and Hunter McKie all played in that game while senior Thomas Barrow served as the backup goaltender.  Defenseman Billy Dressel suited up as a freshman as did forwards Brody Pavlica and Luc Kuhr.

The experience those payers can draw upon ensures that the Knights will not be overwhelmed playing big games in March.

 

Sylvania Northview
Against the field:  2-2-0

11.24.19         Toledo St. Francis  W, 3-2
11.30.19         St. Edward                L, 1-2
01.19.20         St. Edward                L, 3-4
01.31.20         Toledo St. Francis  W, 6-3

Toledo St. Francis
Against the Field:  1-5-0

11.24.19         Northview                 L, 2-3
11.29.19         Olentangy Liberty      L, 1-4
11.30.19         St. Edward                 W, 2-1
12.01.19         St. Edward                 L, 2-3
01.31.20         Northview                 L, 3-6
02.14.20         Saint Ignatius            L, 1-8

 

--- Scott Harrington for Ohio Hockey Digest