The Gilmour hockey team did not go quietly in the state semifinals at Nationwide Arena in Columbus Saturday night.
The Lancers, facing an early 2-0 deficit, stormed back to deadlock St. Edward 2-2 in regulation time. Neither team scored in the first, second or third overtime. Finally, three minutes into the fourth extra session, the Eagles scored the game-winner, taking a 3-2 triumph and ending what had been a great run for Gilmour.
The Lancers closed out the season with a school record 35 victories under veteran head coach John Malloy, who was hoping for one more game.
“It’s disappointing because I think we had a team that could have won it (state
title),” said Malloy. “We did not have our best effort of the season but our kids
regrouped and stuck together to get back in the game.”
The longest game in state tournament history was made possible by a Lancer
comeback from two goals down. Junior Joey Lencewicz scored Gilmour’s first goal
with just 4:59 remaining in the third period and junior Spencer Antunez netted a
rebound which tied the game at 2-2 with 1:32 remaining in regulation time.
That seemed to turn the tide in favor of the Lancers, who fell short of a state
title in 2008 when St. Edward won the championship matchup between the two
teams. “The momentum was on our side,” said Malloy, “We had a good chance at
their end but their goalie came up big."
Gilmour killed off penalties in the second period to stay in the game while junior
goalie Oliver Flesher kept the Lancers close. For the game, Flesher turned away 36
shots on goal by the Eagles.
“To spot them two goals was not good,” said Malloy, who was seeking his 500th career win. “We made some mental mistakes we don’t normally make.”
St. Edward edged Gilmour by a 1-0 count during a game earlier in the season. The Eagles were making their 19th appearance in the state final four and were hoping for a 12th state title but fell to Toledo St. Francis in the title game.
Sparked by the offense of juniors John Tobbe, Antunez and Chris Deming and senior Matt Grider, the Lancers were unbeaten in their last 16 games heading into the state semifinals. The team was converting 42 percent of its power play
opportunities and getting solid effort in goal by Flesher.
“It was a great ride,” said Malloy. “The kids played hard all year and beat some
good teams. The real success of a season like this comes 10 years out when the
players will be talking about how much fun this was.”