The Saint Ignatius Wildcats won their fourth consecutive Cleveland Cup Championship, defeating rival Saint Edward, 5-2, on Saturday, Feb. 11.
Five different playerd scored goals for Ignatius and although the Wildcats finished strong, tbe Eagles owned momentum for most of the first period.
St. Edward wasted no time, as Josh Tomasi scored 40 seconds into play, giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
St. Edward was in control for the next 11 minutes, but the Wildcats answered back, as Benji Rechin knotted the game up at one with 4:01 remaining in the first period.
Neither side could strike for the last four minutes of the frame, and the rivals headed to the intermission tied at one.
The back-and-forth battle raged on, as Greg Langermeir gave Ignatius its first lead of the night early in the second period.
Curtis Szelesta came right back for St. Edward, tying the game at two with 7:25 left in the second.
Less than two minutes later, Connor Koehnke delivered for the Wildcats, giving Ignatius a 3-2 lead.
The final 5:40 of the second period were scoreless and Ignatius headed to the dressing room with a one-goal lead.
The Wildcats maintained momentum after a strong second period and came out of the gate in attack mode to start the third, as Grayson Gerard scored two minutes into play, giving Ignatius a 4-2 lead.
The two sides went more than 11 minutes without striking, but Seth Whitey sealed the deal, making it a 5-2 game with only 1:10 remaining.
HKY: The coaching staff and the seniors pose with the Cup after tonight's win#GoCats pic.twitter.com/zCbfqIMU6k
— SIHS Sports (@SIHSSports) February 12, 2017
The @GLHL1 Champs. #GoCats pic.twitter.com/89E86m3wf4
— SIHS Sports (@SIHSSports) February 12, 2017
Ignatius (23-8-2) heads into the State Tournament ranked No. 2 in Ohio, looking to defend its title and win a third championship in four years.
The Wildcats open up the Brooklyn District Tournament on Feb. 18 at 12 pm, facing the winner of Normandy vs. Brecksville-Broadview Heights.
St. Edward (26-8-0), ranked No. 4 in Ohio, takes on the winner of Parma vs. Benedictine on Feb. 19 at 12 pm.
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