Recent CHC Blue News
School in just its fourth year defeats rival Olentangy Liberty to win high school crown
It was the battle of the blues as Olentangy Liberty faced Olentangy Berlin on Sunday in the championship game of the 2022 OhioHealth Blue Jackets Cup tournament.
The Berlin Bears were looking to win their first CBJ cup championship in just the fourth season since the school opened, while the veteran Liberty Patriots were on the hunt for a second championship in a tournament they have not won since 2011.
The Bears defeated the Patriots once earlier this season, handing Liberty its only loss of league play on the way to the regular-season title of the Capital Hockey Conference. And at Chiller North in the title game, they did it again, defeating the Patriots in the first minute of overtime play to earn a 4-3 victory.
"Winning the CBJ Cup in our fourth year of existence is a tremendous accomplishment for our program," Berline head coach Tim Pennington said. "We beat two of the best, and most storied teams in our area and in the state."
Read the full story at www.nhl.com
St. Charles, Upper Arlington lead deep field
Upper Arlington was 36-0-1 under former head coach Brett Howden heading into last year’s Columbus District semifinal against New Albany. The Golden Bears were upset in that game and, while the team has not been as dominant during the 2020-21 regular season, the memory of what happened a year ago has motivated them to make good on their opportunity this time around.
They started by defending their Capital Hockey Conference tournament championship, winning the Blue Jackets Cup with a come-from-behind victory against top-seeded St. Charles.
“It was an historic win for our program,” said first-year head coach Hamish Baird. “We came in and worked hard and our boys really wanted it.”
Now the Bears set their sights on for the district title that eluded them a year ago.
“We feel like we have some unfinished business and have a shot at making a run to the district title,” Baird said. “We are very much looking forward to getting started.”
Junior forward Max Robins sparked the comeback in the CBJ Cup Final, scoring the game-tying and -winning goals in a 3-2 win. They were his 28th and 29th goals of the season in just 24 games played.
“That’s the kind of season he’s had”, said Dave Purpura of This Week News. “He has certainly become the go-to guy for them in big situations.”
Another player that endured last year’s heart-breaking loss in the districts and is back playing like a man on a mission is senior goaltender Garrett Alderman, who rocked a .934 save percentage in league play.
Olentangy Orange Lone Team to Move Up in Coach’s Poll
Eight of the 10 positions in the Ohio High School Hockey Coach’s Poll remained unchanged this week with two teams flipping spots.
The Olentangy Orange Pioneers (12-4-0) jumped up from #10 last week to #6, changing positions with the Talawanda Brave (12-3-2).
The top teams positions remained the same: #1 St. Edward (18-2-1), #2 Toledo St. Francis (16-3-1), #3 Gilmour Academy (10-6-2), #4 Saint Ignatius (11-7-2) and #5 Sylvania Northview (9-6-2).
St. Edward received eight of the nine first-place votes cast, with the other going to St. Francis.
Gilmour Academy Moves up in Latest Ohio Poll
- By Scott Harrington 01/05/2021, 8:30pm EST
Little Movement in Ohio Coaches Poll
- By Scott Harrington 12/29/2020, 8:30pm EST
Undefeated St. Edward #1 in first Coaches Poll
- By Scott Harrington 12/22/2020, 8:30pm EST
