Defending state champion returning to district final, taking on St. John's again
2/24/2013The defending state champion Northview hockey team made an emphatic statement that it is determined to return to Columbus with a rout of Findlay in a district semifinal tonight.
Northview scored four unanswered goals in a span of 9:43 in the opening period to take a 4-1 lead. The Wildcats trailed 1-0 early but went on to blast the Trojans 8-3 at Tam-O-Shanter.
Northview advances to the district final to once again take on St. John's Jesuit on March 2. The Wildcats defeated the Titans 2-1 to capture the district title en route to a state championship last March.
Northview has outscored its first two foes 18-3 in the tournament.
“Going into this year, we expected to be in this game next Saturday night,” Northview coach Mike Jones said. “But we've had some trials and tribulations and we're starting to climb that mountain now.”
Northview senior Nick LaPlante scored two goals in the first period. Zander Pryor, who had two goals and an assist, tallied Northview's first goal and Caleb Rau gave the Wildcats a 2-1 lead. Ian Clement,
Zack Galecki, and Bailey Breitigam also scored for Northview (25-6-1), while Cody Estrel had three assists.
Northview goalie David Marsh had 18 saves. The Wildcats finished with a 30-21 edge in shots.