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The St. John’s Jesuit Titan hockey team had a
very challenging week this week but was able to win their own Titan
Invitational tournament with a 3-2 win over cross town rival St.
Francis. Playing with a limited lineup, every game was a challenge
this weekend.
The varsity icers came into the weekend with a
very thin defensive corps. The Titans lost Eli Riddle, one of their
top defensemen, as he was involved in a serious car accident during
the week. They also had other defensemen that were sitting out due
to injuries and some that played with injuries. The addition of
John Simko from the JV team and emergency addition of Luc Gibb gave
the Titans six defensemen to work with although only 4 with varsity
experience. This weekend they were going to have to rely on the
offense to carry the Titans. The offense responded in the first
game with a sound 6-2 victory over Elyria Catholic. In the morning
contest the offense pounded the St. Xavier goalie with 44 shots but
could only get two pucks behind the goalie. Two late goals by St.
Xavier gave them a 3-2 victory.
The next opponent for the Titans was Oxford
Talawanda. Once again, the offense started strong in the evening
contest. They swarmed the Oxford Talawanda goalie and kept constant
pressure on him. They were able to finish in this contest and the
Titans came away with an impressive 9-1 victory over the Braves.
That victory combined with Elyria Catholic’s win over St. Xavier
aloud the Titans to earn a trip into the finals against St. Francis
who were undefeated in their round robin play.
Once again, the
Titans got the offense going early. SJJ jumped out to a quick 3-0
lead half way through the game. The Knights put up a good comeback
as they responded with a late goal in the second and an early goal
in the third cut the lead to one. The Titans held tough and Steven
Schmitt made several good saves down the stretch to give the Titans
their third tournament championship of the year.
The new line of Cody Mathews, George Wilkinson
and Chase Parsell had an outstanding weekend as the line registered
nine goals for the weekend. Also the defensemen need special
recognition as they showed a lot of heart throughout the entire
weekend and played outstanding. Congratulation to the whole varsity
squad for another well earned championship. |
