Northview, St. Ignatius co-champs after 7 OTs

Northview's senior Cody Estrel (12) collides with St. Ignatius' junior Brady Wells (17) in pursuit of the puck during the first period.

The Blade/Katie Rausch
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Northview's goalie senior David Marsh (1) reaches for the puck as his teammate junior Josh Koback (21) deflects pressure from St. Ignatius' senior Beck Schultz (10) in the first period.

Northview's senior Cody Estrel (12) collides with St. Ignatius' junior Brady Wells (17) in pursuit of the puck during the first period.

COLUMBUS – History was made today when the Northview hockey team punctuated its surprise run through the 2014 playoffs by tying for an epic state championship in spectacular fashion.

The underdog Wildcats (18-13-1) tied No. 1-ranked Cleveland St. Ignatius 1-1 when a draw was declared after the teams played seven overtimes in an historic title game at Nationwide Arena.

RELATED LINK: OHSAA statement.

PHOTO GALLERY: Click here to view photos of the game.

It tied for the longest game in Ohio high school hockey history and was the longest in state final history.

Senior goalie David Marsh was magnificent throughout, making a state tournament record 77 saves. Marsh made 12 stops in the second period, 18 in the third period. He followed that with five in the first OT, nine in the second overtime and four more in the third OT. He made 41 saves overall in the overtimes.

Northview brings it in before the first period.

Northview scored the game's first goal when senior Jake Koback scored 6:42 into the game. Koback collected a long rebound off of a shot by Cody Estrel and scored with a quick snap shot. Jake Koback's junior brother Josh got the play started.

But St. Ignatius tied it with 7:45 left in regulation. Marsh made the first save but was on the ice when Danny Brogan scored on a one timer.

Marsh got stronger as the game went on and St. Ignatius attacked with relentless pressure.

The Wildcats willed its way to four upsets over higher seeds along the way to win the school's second state title with the first coming in 2012.

A similar decision was made in 2008 in Michigan when the Division 1 state title was declared a draw after eight overtimes.

According to the National Federation of State High School Associations the longest game in the country took place in 1955 in Minnesota.