Sacred Heart Griffin Dethrones Pekin For AHAI Downstate Championship

By Ross Forman
Eyeing their fourth consecutive AHAI Downstate Championship, the Pekin Dragons struck 11 seconds into the title tilt on Sunday, March 15, at the Nelson Center Ice Rink in Springfield.

After a defensive miscue by the Sacred Heart Griffin (SHG) Cyclones, the puck landed in front of the net and Pekin’s Greyson Englert scored, assisted by Lakin Flynn.

“We mishandled the puck and then all of a sudden it’s in our net,” said SHG head coach Brad Gathard. “I did not think one goal was going to decide the game, at least I hoped it wouldn’t. I just told the guys to get to work and grind it out.”

And boy did they. The Cycles scored eight unanswered for an 8-1 win and their first state championship.

“They responded well,” after the Pekin goal – the fastest scored against SHG all season, Gathard said.

“Pekin was a very good team this year, but we controlled the puck, especially in their (defensive) end and stayed out of the (penalty) box.”

SHG tied the game 1-1 about seven minutes later when Kaesen Graff scored the first of his two goals in the game, along with his one assist. 

Mitchell Strawn scored the game-winner at 3:30 of the first period, assisted by Cam Hammer.

The Cyclones pushed it to 4-1 in the second period on goals from Logan Heimlich.

“Sacred Heart was a real good team this year. They were a veteran team, (with) 12 or 13 seniors. We were more junior heavy. That was a big factor,” said Pekin head coach Ryan Otto. “We definitely left (the arena) with our heads high, just making it to the finals for the fourth year in a row. Plus, this (loss) makes us hungry for the future, so no complaints. Sacred Heart certainly had the top team this year.

“It was an exciting tournament overall. The league was really good this year, a real testament to all clubs. This definitely was the most competitive the league has been. Anyone could beat anyone, and that’s what we want.”

SHG added four in the third on goals from Graff, Alexander Bridge, Willian Reeves and Wade Snyder.

“Logan had a really had a big game. His goal with :07 remaining in the second was a big push, a big play. His second period goals were really big goals; they put us in a much better position,” said Gathard, in his second season as the SHG head coach.

Graff had two goals and an assist.

“I think (Pekin) got tired in the third,” Gathard said.

SHG sent 47 shots on Pekin goalies Logan Flynn and Zane Clark.

SHG goalie Owen Geirnaeirt faced 22 shots. “I knew once Owen got a feel for the puck and got locked in, he’d be OK,” after allowing the early Dragons goal, Gathard said.

Gathard was assisted this season by Steve Bridge and Travis Graff, as the Cyclones mesh players from Auburn, Calvary Academy, Pleasant Plains, PORTA, Riverton, Routt Catholic and Tri-City.

“It’s going to be a different-looking team (next season), including sophomores and juniors who will need to step up. But I think we’ll contend,” Gathard said.