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Saint Ignatius Chases Fourth Straight Title in Columbus

By Kyle Kelly, 03/07/19, 6:15PM EST

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Chance to finally finish off Northview at States

History was made the last time Saint Ignatius and Sylvania Northview met on March 8 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, back in 2014. In the OHSAA Boys Ice Hockey State Championship, Saint Ignatius and Northview were named the first ever co-state champions after battling through seven overtime periods, resulting in a 1-1 tie.

Circumstances are a bit different heading into this year’s game on March 8, 2019, in the battle of the Wildcats between Saint Ignatius and Northview in the final four of this year’s state championship.

SYLVANIA NORTHVIEW

Steve Elliott, head coach

Sylvania District Champions
13-14-6 overall
2-4-0 (t3rd), Northwest Hockey Conference

12-time district champion (1981, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2019)

2-time state champion (2012, 2014*)

* Co-state champion with Saint Ignatius

PREVIEWING NORTHVIEW

Northview checks into Columbus as the only team with a losing record in the state final four but their record presents a false narrative. The Wildcats of Northview defeated No. 9 ranked and Northwest Hockey regular season Toledo St. John’s, 4-2, in the Sylvania District Championship. In the quarterfinal, Northview matched-up with Findlay High School, defeating the Trojans 5-4 in overtime on February, 23.

Despite 13 final four appearances in school history, Northview has not made it to Columbus in five years, when they notched their second state championship. Head coach Steve Elliott was an assistant then, eventually being promoted to head coach. Elliott and assistant head coach Doug Carter have been with the program for 20 years, and will be partaking in their sixth final four together.

On paper three seniors stand out, in forwards Jake Ruehle and Trevor Klee, and defenseman Noah Kerchevall. All three were named Honorable Mention in the NHC previously in their careers. Although they have been recognized by fellow coaches in the NHC, they are just a couple of names that headline a strong roster from top-to-bottom. Elliott spoke highly of his team saying, “You can go right down the room and kid-after-kid, they are just accountable, wonderful, and they have all put in the work for us this year.”

A few unfamiliar faces have contributed to a strong season for Northview. Senior Devon Dohanos a transfer student and first season with the team, leads the team with 17 goals and 32 points. Another first-year player, senior Jared Barfell has 28 points in his first year with the program. Barfell spent the previous three years playing travel hockey in Michigan before committing to his school for his senior year.

Junior Justin Beaverson leads a strong defensive presence, leading the team with 19 assists. Beaverson’s defensive effort has contributed to young goaltenders play for Northview. Sophomore Tyler Clem stands between the pipes, playing all 33 games this season his team. Clem has notched four shutouts and compiled an .866 save percentage.

“We have a lot of respect for their program. They are one of the top teams in our state. Obviously, they have won three straight titles. They are a team you have to take on with a lot of respect,” Elliott told Ohio Hockey Digest. “Quite frankly, we think we have a pretty strong team ourselves. We are going to go in there, go up against them, and give it our best.”

SAINT IGNATIUS WILDCATS

Patrick O’Rourke, head coach

Brooklyn District Champions
25-10-0 overall
Independent schedule

10-time district champion (1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)

6-time state champion (2000, 2010, 2014*, 2016, 2017, 2018)

* Co-state champion with Northview

PREVIEWING SAINT IGNATIUS

The Wildcats of Saint Ignatius are no unfamiliar face in the state final four. They are making their 10th appearance in Columbus, claiming the last three state championships. Ignatius cruised through the Brooklyn District, beating teams by an average margin of victory of 7.75 goals. The No. 1 ranked Ignatius Wildcats defeated No. 5 ranked Holy Name in the Brooklyn District Championship.

“I look at it as the first one this first year. So many of these guys weren’t here two-three years ago. I want his to be fresh for everyone, it’s fresh for me. It should be nervous, fun, and exciting,” Saint Ignatius head coach Pat O’Rourke told Cleveland.com last Saturday.

A pair of juniors lead a strong defensive and offensive Saint Ignatius attack. Junior defenseman Michael Boehm leads a Saint Ignatius team to Columbus after contributing a goal and an assist last weekend against the Green Wave of Holy Name. Boehm is tied for second on the team in points, with 33 on the season. The other is fellow junior Alex Billardo, who leads the team with 25 assists and showcases the other 33 points.  He is just one of nine players that totals 20 or more points on the Blue and Gold.

Other than the junior duo, a senior and sophomore have been the key to success for the Wildcats. The strongest entity of Ignatius is their senior goalie, Ben Savarino. With seven shutouts on the season, Severino has posted a 0.933 save percentage and a 21-7-1 record. Sophomore Erik Galauner leads the team with 35 points and is second on the team with 15 goals.

Over the last decade, Saint Ignatius has not lost a game against Northview. The Blue and Gold Wildcats own an 8-0-3 record against the Black and Gold Wildcats.

Puck drop is set for 1:00 P.M. at Nationwide Arena on Friday, March 8. The winner will face the winner of Dublin Jerome and University School in Saturday’s state championship game.

 

--- Kyle Kelly for Ohio Hockey Digest