The Saint Ignatius Wolfpack Hockey team is getting ready to open the race to the Illinois state championship against Highland Park but they cannot help circling a potential date with destiny in a blockbuster showdown with powerhouse New Trier Green in their pursuit of the Wolfpack’s first ever Illinois state hockey championship.
In the first round of the SHL playoffs, The Saint Ignatius hockey team took on New Trier Green, also known as NTG, in a best of three series starting on February 5th. The first two games were played at Rosemont West Ice arena, with the Wolfpack winning the first game with a score of 2-1 and New Trier winning the second game, 4-0. All four of the NTG goals were scored in the third period. The tie breaker was lopsided, with New Trier coming away with a 4-0 win. Although the team looked for a better result, the ultimate goal is the state championship. The Wolfpack take on Highland Park on Monday, February 16th to kick off the state tournament.
“Our pathway looks pretty good”, senior All State Goalie Nick Nocera said. Nocera emphasized the importance of not overlooking the matchups between Highland Park and Providence Catholic, emphasizing the fact that Providence was able to beat the Wolfpack earlier this year and Highland Park, coached by the old New Trier coach, will be a challenging first round matchup. On top of that, the Wolfpack are also playing a best of three series against Providence Catholic for the Kennedy Cup.
Even with all of the other games and potential trophies, Nocera said “We definitely circled that New Trier game to go to the final four in state”.
The student support for the Wolfpack hockey team is strong.
“Quite , I don’t think words can describe the lengths that we’d go to in supporting our wolfpack.” Sophomore Wolfpack hockey fan Henry Joves said.
According to Joves, fan support will be there as the team braces themselves for the long and winding road to the state championship.
“I mean, seats: packed. There wouldn’t be any open space to walk around, cheering, yelling, banging on the glass. You know, it’ll be electric” Joves said.
