Friday, March 2, 7:00 p.m. @ Sylvania Tam O’Shanter, 7060 Sylvania Avenue
 

1. Toledo St. Francis (21-2-0, ranked #2 in Ohio) vs.
3. Toledo St. John’s (15-11-5)

Toledo St. Francis enters the Sylvania District Final without having allowed a goal in the post-season.  As a matter of fact, they have not been scored on since their 2-1 win over Toledo St. John’s on February 10.  

OK, the Knights have only played three times since then, but that’s how it can go in the early rounds of the OHSAA hockey tournament – especially in the Sylvania bracket.

Aside from a scrimmage here and there to try to get some game atmosphere as they prepared to go after their fourth consecutive district title, St. Francis head coach Chris Varga is sticking to the practice routine.

“We’ll keep everything the same as we’ve done from Day One,” said Varga.  “We’ll just keep it going.  No changes at all.”

St. Francis was the #2 ranked team in the state in the final Ohio High School Hockey Poll.  They have been averaging almost six goals per game on the season and have not lost since a 6-1 setback at the hands of #1 Saint Ignatius at the Padua Holiday Hockey Tournament prior to Christmas.

In contrast to the repeated success St. Francis has had recently, St. John’s finds themselves playing for a spot at the state tournament in Columbus after winning all of two games last season.  It has been a remarkable turnaround for head coach Brett Molnar and his team.  They find themselves on a big stage Friday night, but will try to keep in mind what got them this far.

“We’ll keep playing our game,” Molnar insisted.  “Tight, opportunistic hockey trying to limit their chances and take advantage of ours.”

That was the formula that produced a huge 1-0 overtime victory over Sylvania Northview in last week’s district semifinal.  Cole Kaestner posted the shutout in that one with Peirce Morrison providing the sudden-death heroics.

The excitement is at a fever pitch for the Titans, but Molnar is confident his leadership group can keep the temperature of the room where it needs to be.

“Our leaders will make sure they keep the emotions even-keel in the locker room tonight,” he said.  “They’re the reason for the turn-around, and we know they’ll keep the energy in the room where it needs to be.” 

Varga has a group of seniors looking to go four-for-four with district titles.  They have had their way with the Titans in recent seasons, but the one-goal game the last time these two rivals met should serve as a key reminder that no team can be taken for granted this time of year.

“We were maybe a little over-confident the last time we played them,” admitted Varga.  “They played an excellent game and their goalie was phenomenal.”

The Knights had already clinched the Northwest Hockey Conference Red Division title, and rolled four lines that night, but St. John’s played a strong game and St. Francis struggled to find the net – something they can’t afford to do especially if Kaestner is sharp again.

“If we don’t bring our ‘A’ Game our season is over,” Varga stated.

The winner of the Sylvania District will face the winner of the Kent District in a state semifinal game next Friday, March 9 at 10:00 a.m. at Nationwide Arena in Columbus.

University School and Walsh Jesuit play in the Kent District Final at 7:30 p.m. this evening at Kent State University.