The Gilmour Academy Varsity A hockey team played its best hockey of the season when it mattered most as the Lancers won the first OHSAA state championship in program history with a pair of victories inside Nationwide Arena.
Matthew Bauman '23 concluded a lengthy, nail-biting championship contest by firing a shot from the faceoff dot high over the goaltender's shoulder, sending the Lancers - on the ice and in the crowd - into a state of delirium.
The Lancers had advanced to the championship with a 2-0 victory over St. Edward High School in Thursday's state semifinal.
GA's 2-1 victory over St. Francis de Sales School in the Division I championship came in triple overtime and was Gilmour's second victory of the tournament in a third extra session. Gilmour had to come from behind in the championship contest as the Knights scored late in the first period when a shot wide of the net caromed off the boards and back into the crease. Neither team scored in the second period even though each team had its lone power play of the game during the frame.
After the second intermission, the Lancers found another gear and began controlling the game. St. Francis had a slim 17-14 lead in shots on goal over the first two periods, but Gilmour dominated the third, outshooting the Knights 15-3 in the period.
It began to appear as though luck was not on Gilmour's side as time continued to tick off the clock. However, Gilmour's persistence paid off.
Viktor Povozhaev '23 started the tying sequence by forcing a turnover in the offensive end. He immediately fed Bauman near the goal, who unselfishly dished a cross-crease pass to Justin Wen '23. Wen's backhand shot deflected off the goaltender and into the net with just under six minutes to play.
The final minutes of the third period and the overtime sessions were filled with heart-pounding moments with each shot potentially deciding a state champion.
The game-winning sequence began when Wen bodied a Knight off the puck. Harry Rogers '22 then dumped the puck in behind the net. Wen chased it down and attempted a tight-angle shot from close range. His attempt was redirected into the path of Bauman. Bauman's wrister snuck into the top part of the net, and he and his teammates then rushed over to the Lancer student section to celebrate the historic moment.
Ian Anderson '22 concluded a fantastic tournament for Gilmour with a 29-save performance in goal, including 10 saves during overtime with the title directly on the line.
While Anderson played at a high level in the championship, his performance in the semifinal against St. Ed's was other-worldly. He posted a 32-save shutout, time and again stymieing opposition chances.
Gilmour scored in the opening two minutes and the final two minutes of the semifinal, with Bauman involved in both goals.
Just 80 seconds into the contest, Bauman took advantage of an Ed's giveaway as he skated in alone on goal and scored with GA's first shot of the game.
Gilmour clung to that 1-0 edge for nearly the entire game, backed by Anderson, before Wen's insurance tally with 93 seconds left, assisted by Bauman, ensured victory for Gilmour.
The championship run concluded an incredible midseason turnaround for the Lancers. After winning just six of 17 games to open the season, head coach John Malloy did not allow GA to give up on the campaign. Malloy guided Gilmour to a 21-3 record from December 30 onward, helping the Lancers reach the sport's pinnacle as the school celebrates the 25th anniversary of the launch of the hockey program.
Gilmour has qualified for the OHSAA Frozen Four four times in its history, including two of the past three years. The Lancers' title is the 17th OHSAA team state championship in Gilmour's history, including the second of this academic year with GA volleyball having won the title this past November. Additionally, the girls indoor track and field team won the OATCCC Division II/III state championship earlier this month.
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