Semifinal #1
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Cleveland St. Ignatius defeated Toledo St. Francis De Sales 6-4 in the first state semifinal of the 2024 OHSAA Ice Hockey State Tournament at Nationwide Arena on Friday.
It is the Wildcats’ 13th appearance in the state tournament for St. Ignatius while St. Francis was making its 15th appearance.
The game got started fast as the teams scored five goals between themselves in the first period. St. Ignatius scored three of the goals, the first by senior forward Dario Piazza and second and third by senior forward Neal Bartone. St. Francis got their goals from sophomore forward Nathan Kozma and a power play goal by junior forward Jamison Rose.
In the second period, the Wildcats increased their advantage to four with a goal early in the period by senior forward Adam Mustafa. However, Toledo St. Francis fought back with two power play goals late in the period to tie the game at four. Junior forward Drew Tucker grabbed the third goal, with Rose earning his brace to make it an even contest going into the final period.
It didn’t take long for St. Ignatius to break the deadlock in the third period as senior forward Zack Baker scored to turn the tide back in the Wildcats’ favor. Piazza then scored late in the third period to grab his brace and cement St. Ignatius’ spot in their eighth state title game on Sunday. The Wildcats will be looking for their eighth state championship, as they have never lost a state title game.
Semifinal #2
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Hunting Valley University School defeated Columbus St. Charles 6-0 in the second state semifinal of the 2024 OHSAA Ice Hockey State Tournament at Nationwide Arena on Friday.
This was the 17th appearance in the state tournament for University School while St. Charles was making its second appearance.
University School’s state tournament experience was evident early, as the Preppers started hot and didn’t look back. University School scored two shorthanded goals early in the first period to get things rolling. Senior forwards Anthony Messina and Sam Wade scored those two goals against the run of play.
Just like the first period, the Preppers once again found two goals in the second period. Senior forward Luke Palmer scored University School’s third goal of the afternoon while junior forward Sam Robinson grabbed the fourth.
The Preppers grabbed two more goals in the third period as well. Junior forward Ethan Roberts made it five on the day for University School before Robinson grabbed his brace to cruise the Preppers into their second straight title game and seventh in team history. University School will be looking for its third state championship.
Championship
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Cleveland St. Ignatius grabbed its eighth state title as the Wildcats defeated University School 4-1 in the 2024 OHSAA Ice Hockey State Final on Sunday.
This was the eighth time in the state final for St. Ignatius as the Wildcats have never lost a state final game. University School was making its seventh state final appearance, receiving their second straight and fifth overall runner-up award.
The game was close throughout most of the first period until a power play opportunity for St. Ignatius gave junior defender Nolan Ignacio a path through the Preppers defense for the first goal of the contest. University School senior goaltender Noah Caballero kept his team in the contest with multiple saves to keep the game 1-0 going into the second period. Caballero ended the contest with 28 saves.
The second period was also a tight one until senior forward Braden Esenwine flipped the script on a University School power play and scored a shorthanded goal to increase the Wildcats’ advantage to two. The game stayed that way through the end of the period, as St. Ignatius would take that 2-0 lead into the final break.
Three goals were scored in the final period of play, the first coming only 18 seconds into the period when Esenwine grabbed his brace to make it a three goal lead for the Wildcats. Halfway thought the period, the Preppers got one back with a goal from senior Luke Palmer. University School then pulled Caballero off for an extra attacker, but St. Ignatius capitalized with an empty net goal from senior forward Justin Frederick in the closing minute to complete the 4-1 victory over the Preppers.