Another deep and talented Catholic ice hockey team from Novi Detroit put an exclamation mark for the shortened hockey season on Saturday night with a 5-1 win over Rockford in the Division 1 final at the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth.
Long runs in the playoffs are the order of the day for CC, who won their 15th national title.
The top ranked shamrocks rescued in the region’s first two rounds after their Junior Varsity Blue team intervened because a varsity player’s COVID-19 quarantine ended 18-1.
Rockford, who overtook a thrilling 5-4 victory in the semi-finals against Holt / Mid-Michigan on Friday, competed in the final for the first time. The Rams finished 15-6-1.
DEPARTMENT 3:Cranbrook wins another national title with 4-1 against Calumet
DEPARTMENT 2:Birmingham’s brother, Rice, hits the Byron Center in a dramatic way
It was the second meeting of the season between the two teams; The Shamrocks took the first encounter 5-0.
In the rematch, CC started quickly by scoring two special team goals to open the first period.
Senior Brennan Sass lunged for a rebound after a shot by Kaden Hemme and scored the 1-0 in just 7:43 in the first half. Billy Shields then came across a theft at the blueline and hit a runaway at 9:07 am without support to give the Shamrocks a 2-0 cushion.
“The puck went up on the other side of the wall,” Shields said. “The ‘D’ was trying to play it quietly and from my skate. It ricocheted. I got speed, just went down, faked right and went left, and I found the back of the net. And it was a great feeling. “
The Catholic headquarters prevailed in the first game with 10: 4 against Rockford.
“We were able to generate sales,” said CC trainer Brandon Kaleniecki. “Shields made a great solo game. At that point it was kind of a game changer. You had a power game with a chance to tie it and we go the other way and meet. Special teams are especially big in this tournament and in every tournament because it’s one and it’s done. If you win the battle of the special teams, you are definitely giving yourself a chance. “
The Shamrocks, who continued to buzz around Rockford goalkeeper Nolan Smith (35 saves), took a 3-0 lead at 6:58 a.m. in the second half when Bret Beale hit a rebound home.
And just under a minute before the end of the second hit, the second Ryan Wantuck hit unassisted to give the Shamrocks a four-goal pillow for third place.
Catholic Central started the final with senior goalie Bobby Masters after junior Nick Galda beat Brighton 3-0 in the semi-finals on Friday.
The Shamrocks, who scored just 16 goals throughout the season, left Rockford 40-10 behind.
The Rams prevented the shutout by scoring Carson Korte’s goal in the third half at 2:44 am after Braeden Fouchea intercepted the puck.
With 2:21 minutes to go, Hemme scored a four-on-four goal, supported by Shields.
It was the third state title in six seasons for CC coach Brandon Kaleniecki, a former Shamrock and University of Michigan player.
During the post-game title celebration, the CC-Uni hugged their JV colleagues, who stepped in and won the region.
“They gave these (university) guys an incredible opportunity to find out,” said Kaleniecki. “We wanted to make sure they were included if we could win the game. It was important that they be there. It was a memory of us. It was a reminder of what they did to keep this team afloat in uncertain times, and they deserve any credit the boys get from college. You have won two playoff games. That says it all. “
