Freshman Campbell Gwin is all smiles after defeating St. Charles. Jacob Rhee’19/Sports editor
After defeating St. Charles in the quarterfinals, the CA ice hockey team’s incredible inaugural season came to a close with a loss to Dublin Jerome in the semifinals of the CBJ Cup.
The #4 seed Vikings took on #5 seed St. Charles in the quarterfinals on Friday, February 16, and edged the Cardinals, 4-2. Freshman Campbell Gwin led the offensive attack with 2 goals, and juniors Gunnar Geiger and Greyson Noblitt had one apiece. Despite being without junior captain Cole Walker, Academy fought hard and pulled away from the defending champions in the final period.
Awaiting the Vikes in the semifinals was #1 seed Dublin Jerome, a squad that had given CA fits all season long. In their 3 previous meetings, the Celtics outscored the Vikings by a combined score of 19-5, making them the prohibited favorites to move on to the championship game.
But Academy would not be blown out on this day. The Vikes played Jerome to a scoreless draw in the first 15 minutes and didn’t seem intimidated in the least. Then, early in the second period, CA drew blood, as Geiger flicked a backhand shot into the back of the net to put the underdogs on top. Though the Celtics don’t trail often, they kept their composure and quickly responded with a goal of their own, less than 5 minutes later. A defensive struggle ensued, and the game moved into the final period with the score still deadlocked at 1.
Jerome attacked relentlessly on offense, but freshman goalkeeper Max Crane was ready. He made several spectacular saves, continuing his fantastic season in between the pipes. Neither team could produce a game-winner, and the squads headed to a shootout.
Both teams converted 2 of its 5 penalty shots, so a decisive sixth frame followed. Academy’s shot missed wide, giving the Celtics an opportunity to win. They capitalized, punching a ticket to the championship and fending off an upset bid by the gutsy Vikings.
It was an amazing first season for the Columbus Academy ice hockey team. Not only did the young Vikes establish themselves as a contender in the Capital Hockey Conference, but they also laid the groundwork for a successful program. Every single player will return to the team next year, making CA an even more dangerous squad next winter.
