No National Championship For BG/H/W or Saint Viator, But Memories Aplenty
By Ross Forman
The dream seasons for BG/H/W and Saint Viator – the Illinois High School Hockey State Champions for the combined and red divisions, respectively – came to end hours apart on Saturday, March 21, at the 2026 Chipotle-USA Hockey High School National Championship in Plymouth, Minn.
The Stampede lost 3-2 in overtime to the Osseo Maple Grove Saints (Minn.) in the quarterfinals of the 16-team 2A division.
The Lions lost 6-2 to Florida-based Nest Hockey Academy in the semifinals of the top-tiered 8-team 3A division.
“It was a great national championship, finishing 3-1 against four great teams,” said Stampede head coach Chris Waters. “We played good hockey, but a couple of bounces (in the quarterfinals) just did not go our way; that’s what happens when you play good teams.”
BG/H/W hit three posts and did not score on four breakaways. “We had a lot of chances; we just did not execute,” he said. “We held a high-scoring team to two goals in regulation time. We just didn’t bury the chances we had.”
Viator forward Colton Neuhaus, who had 4 points in the team’s 4 games, including a game-winning goal, said: “Being at nationals, honestly, just felt like a bonus. We earned the experience; it was hard to get to (and) it’s a big deal to play in. Losing (in the semifinals) doesn’t change anything. This was the greatest season in our school’s history and it was a special one to be a part of.”
Stampede forwards Cam Christopher and Aiden Gogerty each scored in their season-ending loss. The Saints scored the game-winner with 3:39 remaining in the 17-minute overtime.
“We had chances,” in overtime, Waters said. “This was a fast-paced team and we had a plan going in (to slow them down). Overall, it was just a good hockey game, a good battle.”
BG/H/W goalie Ronin Alaniz faced 27 shots. The Stampede also had 27 shots, including a 7-4 edge in OT.
“I’m not disappointed at all. Winning state was always the goal; nationals was a great reward for winning state,” Waters said. “I’m very, very happy with how we played this weekend. I couldn’t be any happier as their coach.”
BG/H/W senior Ryan Antonucci, a three-year varsity defenseman who attends Hersey High School, said the team knoew it was going to be an uphill battle against Osseo Maple Grove. “We played similar Junior Gold A teams from Minnesota, (such as) Edina and Wayzata, who we played very close games against earlier in the season. A lot of our team was banged up by that point in the tournament and we all seemed to be running on adrenaline. We came from behind and battled through almost the entire 17-minute overtime and fell short in the final minutes.
“Though it’s upsetting that we lost, I don’t think we should let it take away from all of the successes we had this season, from the state championship to some individual player successes on the team. Overall, this was a beyond great season, and we closed off with an incredible run at nationals.”
The Stampede won their three round robin games, defeating the Bellmore/Merrick Bulldogs (N.Y.) 4-3 in overtime, the Central Cathedral Jets (Calif.) 8-2 and the Omaha Jr. Lancers 3-1.
The OT win over the Bulldogs was a tournament highlight, Waters said, “and it set the tone for the weekend.”
Goalie Nicholas Klimas was near-perfect in goal for the Stampede in their win over the club from Omaha and “he probably had the save of the year, making a diving save with his stick,” Waters said.
Also in BG/H/W’s win over Omaha, Dominic Pesoli had two goals, including the game-winner.
The Stampede trio of Christopher, Gogerty and Costanza “played great in all four games,” Waters said.
BG/H/W will lose seven to graduation, including four of its top six forwards. So yes, “some rebuilding has to be done (next season),” Waters said. Both goalies are back, along with “a lot of talented players plus newcomers with talent, too.”
Antonucci added: “We had a really successful run in the national championships. Every single game was competitive; it really pushed our team. We had tremendous success, it’s hard beating state champions from all the other states, yet we made it out of pool play undefeated, and we’re the only team in the 2A division to not lose a game in regulation. The whole experience at nationals was really cool, playing teams from around the country and getting to wear the nationals patch was unforgettable.”
SAINT VIATOR: The Wheels Just Kind Of Fell Off
Saint Viator surrendered five unanswered goals from the midway point of the semifinal, including two shorthanded tallies.
“It was a blast being with the guys one last time. Obviously, we are so blessed and thankful to have won state and it truly was a blessing to play (for a national championship). We didn’t win, but we have a lot of memories from this (tournament) and the season, and we’re thankful for that,” said Viator senior defenseman Tommy Speck. “We just didn’t bring it (in the semifinal); we were kind of gassed, didn’t have our all, didn’t play like how we were in Illinois during our big winning streak.
“The wheels just kind of fell off, but that’s all right.”
The Lions struck first as Mason Steffan scored, assisted by John Kulpins at 7:55 of the first period. Reid Cole answered about a minute later and it was 1-1 after the first.
Ryan Loftus gave the Lions a 2-1 edge at 11:53 of the second period, scoring on an assist from Albert Przywara. But that was the last highlight of the game – and the season – for the Lions.
“We took a lot of penalties, kind of undisciplined play, which is not our style of hockey – and that cost us, for sure,” Speck said.
The Lions went 2-1 in round robin play, defeating the Seacoast Spartans (N.H.) and Norwich Hockey Club (Conn.) by identical 5-2 scores. Viator lost 5-2 to Shattuck St. Mary’s (Minn.). Loftus led the Lions with 6 points (3 goals, 3 assists) in 3 games played.
Speck said the experience “was a blast,” despite the semifinal loss.
Added Viator forward Albert Przywara: “Nationals had a great atmosphere and was very competitive. It hurts to go out the way we did, but we are still very proud of what we accomplished this year.”
Viator senior captain Ryan Loftus said playing in the national championship tournament was a very cool experience, but the season-ending loss stung. “It was an emotional loss, knowing it would be the last time many of us would step on the ice for a meaningful game,” he said. Still, the tournament gave Loftus and his teammates a chance to “showcase all of our talents.”
Viator forward Peppi Laboy III said nationals were “a great experience and so much fun.”
The semifinal loss “hurt a little,” Laboy said, “but we had an incredible year; I’m so proud of everyone on this team.”