The Northview Wildcats pushed their overall record to 18-1-3 with 5 wins and a championship in the mid-winter Classic in Chicago. Playing mostly AA travel teams the Cats were able to outlast the Arapahoe Ice Warriors in the final 2 to 1 with a goal by freshman Ian Clement in overtime.
In the 1st game the Cats also took on Arapahoe. goals by Drew Crandall, Xavier Sudlow and Cody Estrel were plenty for the win as Austin Gryca picked up the shutout win 3 to 0. The next Morning the Cats took on the Geneva Cyclones. IS was Phil Bowles turn for the shutout as the Cats rolled 4 to 0. Dalton Carter, Crandall and the Koback brothers all hit for a single goal each in the win. That evening the Cats would face their toughest test of the tournament from Littleton out of Colorado. Trailing for the 1st time as a pass from behind the net hit off of Kooper Carter’s skate and past Gryca the Cats had to rally. Jacob Koback finished off a nice tick-tack -toe play from line-mates Cody Estrel and Zach Felser to tie the game and the Cats would finish the comeback in the 3rd. Dalton Carters blast found the net for the eventual game winner and Felser sealed the win minutes later for the final margin 3 to 1. Already assured of a spot in the final the Cats would finish off round robin play versus the BWW Wild hawks. Sloppy play once again saw the Cats behind at the start of the 3rd period 2 to 1. Nick Laplante’s 2nd of the game tied the score and then Crandall scored off a nice individual effort from Brady Storer to give the Cats a 3 to 2 win. Later that afternoon the Cats would square of with Arapahoe for a 2nd time in the final. After giving up a 1st period power-play goal, the Cats and goaltender Austin Gryca put the clamps down and again capped a comeback in OT. Storer found the net on a power-play goal minutes after senior Zach Felser was lost to a cheap shot. Continuous pressure led to numerous chances but it wasn’t till the OT session when Ian Clement tipped home a shot from Kyler Omey for the game winner 2 to 1.
Northview will head out on the road 1 last time for a couple of out of conference games in Indianapolis this weekend. They will return to Tam-o-Shanter of Frday the 27th to take on St. Johns in a game that could decide the league championship.
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