After a convincing 8-3 win over MICDS, the Westminster hockey team found themselves 19-2 and Central Division Champions.
They were seeded #11 and matched up against #6 Chaminade in the Challenge Cup, which is the hockey equivalent of the state tournament.
The Wildcats fell to the Red Devils 4-2 in game 1, but they took game 2 by the score of 5-3. With the series split 1-1, the two teams entered a 10-minute playoff game to decide who moved on. After a scoreless 10 minutes, the Wildcats upset the Devils in an exciting shootout. Nathan Smallwood, senior captain, clinched the win with his shootout goal.
“It felt amazing to pull off such an upset. We knew it was going to be a really tough game, so we played conservatively and came out with a huge win,” said Smallwood.
The Cats hope to keep their miracle season alive as they begin a series with SLUH on February 11th at 9:30 at Queeny Park.
“SLUH is a great team. I expect a great series. We are sticking to our same game plan. We’ll just keep working hard and capitalizing on key plays,” said Smallwood.
If the Wildcats can manage to upset SLUH, a rematch with rival MICDS is possible in the semifinals.
Only eight teams remain in the Challenge Cup.
“It would be a dream come true win the Challenge Cup and put Westminster’s name up there with the other great St. Louis hockey programs,” said Smallwood.
