Northview Wildcats lose 3-1 to Shaker Heights in state hockey championship

3/11/2013

COLUMBUS – The Northview hockey team's bid for another thrilling comeback fell short as the Wildcats lost 3-1 to Shaker Heights in the state championship game tonight.

Northview trailed 1-0 early before senior Nick LaPlante tied it in the first period. But Shaker Heights scored late in the first period and never trailed before a crowd of 2,348 at Nationwide Arena.

The Wildcats (27-7-1) were looking to defend their 2012 state title after rallying for wins in the district final and state semifinal.

Senior Zander Pryor and junior Kooper Carter assisted on LaPlante's power play goal. Sophomore Ian Clement provided a perfect screen in front of Shaker Heights goalie Eric Sterin and he didn't see the shot.

Northview goalie David Marsh was strong in the second and in the third to keep the Wildcats in it and the junior finished with 20 saves.

The Wildcat had a two-man advantage for 1:21 late in the game but couldn't beat Sterin (25 saves).

The Raiders (28-7-0) added a power play goal for some insurance with 9:13 left. Shaker Heights captured its fourth state championship and first since 2001.