There was an abundance of energy in the air at Grundy Arena Friday night. In the stands, fans were celebrating Holy Ghost Prep’s senior night. On the ice, the Firebirds and The Hun School were leaving nothing to chance.
It was the hosts who prevailed. Chase Logue’s goal 16 seconds into overtime have his side a 2-1 win. Logue weaved his way through traffic from center ice and beat Hun School’s senior goaltender Blake Echternacht who went home with the loss on his record despite being the best player on the ice for most if not all, of the evening.
The result keeps the Firebirds (12-2 overall) atop the APAC standings with a perfect 6-0 conference record. Hun School, which is in the midst of playing five games in eight day, dropped to 10-5 overall and 2-2 in the APAC.
Logue describe his game winner.
“I’d been looking for, {an opening} all night,” he said. “I found a lane, trusted my ability, and went in. The guys in the room (Lucas Gonzalez and Jack Gavaghan got the assists) helped me out a lot.
“{Logue} is a phenomenal player,” said Holy Ghost Prep coach John Ritchie. “I kind of had a conversation with him at the end of last year that coming into this year, he could be the best player in the league. I think he’s started that way, and he’s proven himself.
Holy Ghost Prep dominated the first half of the opening period. The Raiders didn’t record a shot on goal until nine-and-a-half minutes had elapsed. But they recorded the period’s only goal, a power-play effort which came off the stick of Luca Jean with 6:27 remaining in the period. The Firebirds’ Anthony Valeriote was serving a sentence for cross checking at the time.
The Firebirds drew even with 51 seconds left in the middle period when Bill Harmar made a run down the left wing, cut to the net, and beat Echternacht with a backhander.
As the teams lined up for the ensuing faceoff, Valeriote and the Raiders’ Anders van Raalte engaged. The encounter ended with van Raalte being accessed a major penalty for spearing plus a game misconduct. As a result, the Firebirds started the third period with an extended power play but were unable to capitalize on the advantage and the game remained deadlocked through the balance of regulation. Echternacht and the defense in front of him were the primary reasons why.
“I knew when {Nathaniel Welsh} was taking over Hun School they were going to be really structured defensively,” said Holy Ghost Prep coach John Ritchie, “and they were going to be tough and physical. They’ve got a lot of seniors over there
“Hats off to them. They probably played us the tightest of the teams we’ve played so far this year.
Ritchie praised Echternacht’s work in the Raider net.
“I’ve known him since he was 10 or 11 years old,” he said. “I knew he was going to be formidable in net.”
Welsh has been watching Echternacht’s work all season.
“He stood on his head tonight, all night,” he said.
Welsh praised his team’s effort was frustrated his team’s seven penalties, which resulted in five Firebird power plays. The Raiders had four.
“We played hard both ways tonight,” he said. “And we played a lot of time on the PK. Which is unfortunate. I would have liked a little more five on five, or five on four our way.”
Ice chips—The two teams will have a rematch on Thursday afternoon at Ice Land … Ten Holy Ghost Prep seniors were recognized prior to game time. John Bottgof, one of the 10, got the win in goal.
Hun School 1 0 0 0—1
Holy Ghost Prep 0 1 0 1—2
First period goal: Luca Jean (HS) from Andrew Darst, 10:33 (pp).
Second-period goal: Billy Harmar HGP unassisted, 16:09
Overtime goal: Chase Logue (HGP) from Lucas Gonzalez and Jack Gavaghan, :16
Shots: Hun School 27, Holy Ghost Prep 43; Saves: Blake Echternacht (HS) 41, John Botthof 26
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