#1 Gilmour Academy (28-4-4) vs. #2 Mentor (33-2-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday, March 6
Kent State University Ice Arena; 650 Loop Road, Kent

Season series:  did not play

Recent meetings:
February 23, 2019; Gilmour 2, Mentor 1 (OT)    Kent District semifinal
February 21, 2018; Mentor 3, Gilmour 2             Kent District quarterfinal

 

This is the match up we wanted.  The two most dominant teams in the district this year – one pubic and one private – meeting in the district tournament for the third year in a row.  In 2018 it was in the quarterfinals, then the semis last year.  Now, they meet in the final game and the winner will take the spot occupied by University School for the last five years representing the district in Columbus for the state tournament.  Gilmour has been there twice before (2008, 2011) while Mentor has never made it all the way through district play.

Consider the combined state tournament appearances represented in the other district finals:  Brooklyn (St. Edward 21 & Saint Ignatius 10); Sylvania (Sylvania Northview 12 & Toledo St. Francis 11).  It will be refreshing to see some new blood coming out of Kent and Columbus.

Gilmour Academy has been among the top teams in the state for each of the last three seasons and captured the Great Lakes Hockey League’s Cleveland Cup twice in that span, but they were stopped short of the state tournament the last two years.  Head coach John Malloy’s upperclassmen have collected an impressive list of trophies during their tenure, but they are motivated by the one they haven’t gotten their hands on yet.

“Losing last year in overtime was very tough,” Malloy said in reference to the Lancers’ 2-1 loss in the 1999 district final to University School.  “While that loss did not define how we approached this season I do think the returners feel like they have some unfinished business.”

That list of returning players includes some of the most productive Lancers this season: forwards Justin Evans (30-28-58), Charlie Tuggey (21-20-41) and Frankie Valenti (21-18-39) and defenseman Vince Stafford (12-17-29).

Gilmour was ranked #3 in the state for most of the season.  They won the GLHL regular season and post season titles (and claimed in-season tournament titles at the Cold Turkey Shootout and the Cornfield Cup to boot).  Their success has come much the same way Mentor’s has.

“They have won a lot of games by playing solid defense with good goaltending and getting timely goal scoring, as have we,” Malloy said.  “I have not seen enough of them to evaluate if there are major differences, but I think the game will come down to execution and bounces.”

Senior goaltender Tobias Herlong has posted the following numbers over the past two seasons:  26-4-2 with a 1.07 goals-against average, .946 save percentage and 10 shutouts.

Safe to say it’s hard to score on Mr. Herlong...

The Cardinals have three Ohio Senior All-Stars – one up front, one on the blue line, and one in goal – forward Kyle Backston (34-29-63), defenseman Amaedeo Cantini (12-38-50) and goaltender Alex Toth (1.60 goals-against average). 

The firepower doesn't stop there.  Junior forward Andrew McBride (40-39-79) is a 40-goal scorer, junior Luke Jeffery (17-40-57) dished out 40 assists and Cameron Mocny (8-35-43) can also move the puck from the back end.

Both teams have been extra stingy defensively down the stretch.  Mentor has allowed more than one goal just once over their last seven games.  Gilmour just once in their last nine.  A goaltending duel between Toth and Herlong is a pretty good bet.

“It’s hard to predict the scope of the game,” said Mentor head coach Paul McKito.  “But I expect with the talent in the nets for both teams and how well Gilmour and the Cards pride themselves on team defense and protect the scoring areas that it could be a very tightly contested hockey game.”

McKito doesn’t think it matters to his players that GA is the team they are going up against.

“I would say they respect the compete level and skill that Gilmour brings to the rink and they are well aware that they will need to match that or surpass it to be successful Friday," said McKito.  "But once the regular season ended every game from the Baron Cup until Friday are high-stakes games no matter the opponent.” 

Mentor has never made it to Columbus for the state tournament, but McKito sees that as positive motivation for his players as opposed to more pressure.

“I would say it’s most definitely a positive motivating factor for our group,” McKito said.  “They have the opportunity in front of them Friday that no Mentor High School Hockey team has ever accomplished in the history of the program – to be District Champions and one of the Frozen Four in Columbus.”

Friday's district final in Kent has the potential to be a high school hockey classic.

“I know both teams have the want and the will,” said Malloy.  “It could easily be a game that is decided on one or two plays.”

 

Gilmour Academy
Against the field:  2-1-1

12.11.19         Saint Ignatius           L, 1-2
01.11.20         St. Edward                W, 5-1
01.24.20         St. Edward                T, 2-2
02.15.20         St. Edward                W, 3-1

 

Mentor
Against the field:  0-0-0

(did not play any district finalists)

 

--- Scott Harrington for Ohio Hockey Digest