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Preppers add hockey trophy to collection
(by Steve Novak - March 18, 2009)
Preppers add hockey trophy to collection
By STEVE NOVAK
There is now a 28-inch-high trophy in the home of University School hockey coach Bill Beard which be brought back from Columbus on Sunday. The trophy tells it all -- state high school hockey champs.
Earlier in the day, University School earned the trophy with a 3-0 shutout of Toledo St. John's at Nationwide Arena. That ended a playoff run that featured overtime wins in the previous two games against Mentor Lake Catholic and Lakewood St. Edward.
The 4-3 overtime thriller against St. Edward the previous day advanced the Preppers to the title game.
Beard said there was no way he could underestimate how important it was to beat the Eagles in the semifinal contest. Andy Gerow scored the winning goal in the second overtime period.
"That's huge," he said. "That's beating the big dog. They (St. Edward) have 11 (state championship) trophies in their case."
In the title game against, both teams went through the first 20-minute period without lighting the scoring lamp. It was until about 1:30 remained in the second period that senior forward Charlie Clark let go with a slap shot from the slot that made its way into the net. Sam Turben and Matt Degulis were credited with assists on the goal.
The Preppers seemed to build momentum from that point, because with only five seconds elapsed on the clock as the third period began, sophomore forward Ian Robertson nailed a slap shot from the blue line to give University a 2-0 lead. The assist came from Pat Shedlock.
With 2:49 gone in the period, senior center Andy Neff's shot found the back of the net for a 3-0 lead. Forward Matt Wipper had an assist.
Beard said there was nothing special in the way of designated plays which caused the three quick goals.
"Nah, we just kept putting pressure on, and we were able to bury them (shots)," he said.
In addition to holding St. John's scoreless, the University defense held its opponent to fewer than 10 shots on goal.
The Preppers finished the season with a record of 31-6-3. In a season that stretched back to November, University School had already faced Toledo St. John's twice this season.
"On Dec. 19, we beat them 4-2 in the Padua Holiday Tournament," Beard said. "Then, on Jan. 18, we lost to them in overtime, 2-1. But that doesn't mean anything, compared to when you're playing for the championship."
Beard said having the semifinal and final games on back-to-back days didn't really bother his team, because they have had consecutive games like this before.
"The script is, you just have to go out and play," he said. "We tell them you have to take it. Don't let it be handed to you."
In addition to winning the state title, University School also won the league championship this year in the Red North Division of the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League with an 8-1-1 record. The Preppers won the Baron Cup competition this season with victories over North Olmsted, Cleveland St. Ignatius and Lake Catholic.
This is the second state championship for University School since Beard took over as head coach 11 years ago. The Preppers won the title in 2003.
University School is on spring break, so the new trophy is in the temporary care of Beard until it can be presented to school officials during an assembly.
Right now," he said, "I'm just staring at this trophy and smiling."
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