The Northview Wildcats saved their best hockey for the best time of the season and rode a 3 game win streak to Nationwide Arena in Columbus! In a season in which a difficult schedule led to many close 1 and 2 goal losses the battle tested Cats finally broke through in the district playoffs for the programs 12 trip to the Frozen Four.
Northview earned the #2 seed and a 1st round bye before opening up the playoffs with a 6-3 win over a scrappy Anthony Wayne General team. After staking the Generals to an early lead Justin Baden tied the game at 1. AW regained the lead at 2-1 before a flurry of goals by Devon Dohanos, Dougie Carter and a 2nd from Dohanos gave the Cats the lead for good. A PP goal from the Generals closed to 4-3 but 2 quick strikes by Seniors Trevor Klee and Jake Ruehle sealed it for the Cats.
The district Semi finals wer up next and NV squared off with the Findlay Trojans. The teams played two 1 goal games during the regular season with each team winning once. The 3rd game would be more of the same in a classic at Tam-o-Shanter. The Cats got off to a better start in this game with a goal from Senior Alex Miller. However NV would once again have to come from behind as Findlay scored the games next 3 goals to take a 3-1 lead. Senior Jared Barfell scored what might be the seasons most important goal just 25 seconds later to give the Cats some momentum. That momentum didn’t last long as Findlay once again took a 2 goal lead. In the see saw 2nd period battle Dohanos scored to bring the Cats to within 1 after 2 periods of play. The final 15 minutes would be filled with nail biting excitement. With Sophomore goalie Tyler Clem Shoring up the nets senior Trevor Klees shot caught just enough of Junior Jimmy Roberts stick to deflect home and tie the game at 4. The Cats were resilient for the remainder of the period and were fortunate to get put on a 5 minute power play after Sophomore Dougie Carter was boarded from behind with just 2 minutes left in regulation. The Cats were patient and though they sent numerous shots on goal were unable to find the net as the game headed to sudden death overtime. It wouldn’t take long in the extra frame as Klee scored off a beautiful back door pass from Barfell to send the Cats to the district finals for the 1st time since 2014.
The Cats would face the same opponent as 2014 in the St. Johns Jesuit Titans. Northview eliminated the Johnnies 3 straight times to earn a berth in the frozen four from 2012-14. However the Titans were the #1 seed had beaten the Cats both times in the regular season and eliminated the Cats in last years playoffs 1-0 in OT.
The Cats would not be denied again as they skated their way past the Titans in front of 1300 fans at a sold out Tam-o-Shanter. From the start a determined group of Cats led by an outstanding class of 10 seniors looked to want this game more. After jumping out to a 8-1 shot advantage the Cats finally broke free as senior alternate captain Teddy Bugert popped the water bottle with a shot under the bar for a 1-0 lead after 1. Dougie Carter kept it going early in the 2nd with a wrap around goal for a 2-0 lead. The Titans wouldn’t go away without a fight however as the scored off a turnover and then hit again to tie the game at 2. Northview never panicked and remained positive and went back to work. They were rewarded as Alex Miller made an excellent rebound pass off Titan goaltender Will Halker and fellow senior Jared Barfell buried the rebound to give the Cats a 3 to 2 lead after 2 periods. Northview didn’t sit on the lead in the 3rd period but instead pressured St. Johns throughout. Justin Baden scored off a breakaway to give the cats a 2 goal cushion and Sophomore goalie Tyler Clem did the rest. He stymied any chances by the Titans and excellent team defense and a relentless fore-check kept the Titans from generating much of an attack as the Cats were back in Columbus with a final score 4 to 2!!!!
Following a week of festivities the Cats headed for Columbus to face 3 time defending state champions St. Ignatius “PREP”. Unfortunately the Cats were never in this 1. A strong opponent mixed with some nerves led to a 4-0 lead for the Wildcats of Cleveland and Northview could not overcome. Like they had done all year the Cats played their hearts out till the end, but a positive attitude and a strong team bond were not enough for this night as the Cats season ended 7 to 0. Though they lost the game it will never stand in the way of the memories and relationships that will last forever. This team will forever be able to keep their heads held high knowing they gave it their all stuck together and have “NO REGRETS!!”
You must log in to post a comment.