The Frozen Four Ohio High School Hockey Semi-Final double-header kicked off with a match between the University School Preppers (25-11-2) and the Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (28-8-3).
It was a wild game from start to finish and it took five periods to finish, but the Preppers came away with the 3-2 victory thanks to a game-winning goal from Robby Engoglia in the second overtime.
It was a battle of Northeast Ohio and Suburban Columbus. Each team brought lively fan bases.
The two sides fought hard, but there were no penalties and no goals scored for the first 11 minutes
Dublin Coffman would strike first at the 11:27 mark, thanks to an even-strength goal from Junior Forward Luke Babner.
The Preppers answered right back two minutes later, as Junior Forward Alex Hoyen tied it up and the two teams would head into the first intermission deadlocked at one.
Here are the two goals from the first period, courtesy of the Columbus Blue Jackets Vine:
The Preppers jumped out at the start of the second period and got on the board again just 34 seconds into the frame, as Junior Forward JD Clemens put University School on top 2-1.
Less than a minute later, Dublin Coffman was called for a roughing penalty, the first penalty of the game, putting the Preppers on the power play.
Dublin Coffman would kill the penalty, keeping it a one-goal game.
University School was called for tripping, their first penalty of the game, with just over six minutes left in the second period, giving the Shamrocks a man advantage.
Dublin Coffman would make the power play count, as Senior Forward Kyle Talebi would tie the game up at two with just over four minutes to play in the frame.
The Preppers were called for another tripping penalty with just under two minutes left in the second period, but University School’s defense and Senior Goaltender Alec Silver held down the fort to keep it a 2-2 game heading into the final intermission.
Here are the two goals from the second period:
University School would start the third period with 17 seconds remaining on the power play, but the Shamrocks killed the penalty, only to be called for a holding penalty in the first five minutes of the period.
The Shamrocks held their ground despite several good chances for the Preppers, and it would stay tied at two when both teams returned to even-strength with 8:30 remaining.
University School went on the power play yet again with just under four minutes to play, still tied at two, but Dublin Coffman held firm, killing the penalty, leaving 2:17 on the clock when they returned to full-strength.
The physicality and chippy play continued, as both teams were called for penalties with 1:36 to play.
Although Dublin Coffman spent much of the third period in their own zone, neither side could score and the Semi-Final would head to an eight minute sudden death overtime period tied at two.
This is a nail biter!!!! pic.twitter.com/eKh9CdiPB6
— HuntingValley Hockey (@MaroonBlackPuck) March 10, 2016
Babner had a breakaway opportunity less than two minutes into the OT, and was an inch away from ending it, but his shot bounced off the post, so close to advancing the Shamrocks to the State Championship, but the Preppers got the friendly bounce.
Both sides were called for roughing penalties right after that near-goal.
University School had some good chances throughout the period, but Senior Goaltender Grant Powell was excellent in the net for the Shamrocks, and the eight minute sudden death overtime was not enough to decide who would advance to the State Championship.
After a 15-minute intermission, the two teams would resume play for another sudden death overtime period, but this time it would be 4-on-4.
54 seconds into the second OT, Senior Forward Robby Engoglia ended it with a game-winning goal to give the Preppers the 3-2 victory.
With the win, University School advances to the State Championship, which will face off at 2 PM. The Preppers will face the winner of tonight’s game between St. Ignatius and Toledo St. Francis de Sales.
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