(photo credit / SHL Network)
BENSENVILLE – The Warriors claimed their second straight state title in four years with a 4-3 win over Wheaton West in the Blackhawk Cup State Championship on Sunday at the Edge Ice Arena.
Wheaton West struck first midway through the first period, but then the Warriors tied it with a shorthanded goal from senior Garrett Clamage with 9:52 in the second period. Three minutes later, senior Grady Blessing snuck one past the goaltender to give the Warriors a 2-1 lead.
In the second period, Wheaton tied it at two with 3:42, then added another one to take the lead with 1:43 remaining. The scoring continued in the second as the Warriors tied it at three with a Ryan Callahan goal with :38 left.
In the third period, junior Ryan Burk bounced it off the pad of the Wheaton West goalie with 5:18 left in regulation to give the Warriors the lead for good.
It’s the program’s third state title in nine years. The Warriors won the championship in 2014 and 2019, and they finished second in 2018. Warriors Hockey is a combination of players from Metea Valley High School and Waubonsie Valley High School.