St Joseph's Prep Hawks

Knights Pull Stunner By JOSH STROPE Riding a wave of momentum, Wheeling Central went into WesBanco Arena and won its first West Virginia State Hockey Championship with a 6-3 victory against Morgantown on Wednesday. G.T. Blass finished as the game’s Most Valuable Player, scoring a hat trick to lead the Maroon Knights to the title. Fourth-seeded Wheeling Central took the hard route to claim the title, beating John Marshall in the opening game, followed by upsetting top-seeded Wheeling Park, before defeating the second-seed Mohawks. It was Tuesday’s victory against the Patriots that gave Wheeling Central the confidence it needed. ‘‘Beating Park was a big help, and there’s nothing more you can ask for than beating Park,’’ Blass said. “That’s our city rival, a great team the whole year. ‘‘We just worked hard, played our best, and came out with a W.’’ Much like the game against Park, Wheeling Central wasted no time getting on the scoreboard and letting Morgantown know it was there to win. After a pass across the goalmouth was deflected by a Mohawks defender, Blass found himself all alone and backhanded the puck through the legs of Morgantown goalkeeper Parker Lawrence a little more than two minutes in. Later in the first, with Morgantown on a power play, Shane Garan stuck out his stick and raced down the ice. Teammate Ryan Herron was beside him as the Maroon Knights found themselves on a two-on-none breakaway. Morgantown defenders caught up with Garan, but he was able to get the puck to Herron who finished for the shorthanded goal and a 2-0 Wheeling Central advantage. Morgantown was able to cut the lead in half on its next power play chance as Ryan David picked up a rebound and scored past Wheeling Central netminder Tommy Pie. But much like the first period, Wheeling Central scored early in the second to regain its two-goal advantage as Geno Catalano beat Lawrence gloveside for a 3-1 lead. The Mohawks responded two minutes later with a goal by Alexander Theeke. Theeke took a shot from the blue line that Pie couldn’t see, and the puck trickled past. ‘‘The second goal was rolling on the end, and I didn’t get a good look at it,’’ Pie said. But before Pie could let the goal get into his head, Blass scored his second goal of the game. Wheeling Central immediately went on the power play and Blass backhanded another goal as Wheeling Central went up 4-2 just 48 seconds after Morgantown once again closed the gap. ‘‘They picked me up right away and that was great. I thanked them,’’ Pie said. And in what became a familiar pattern, Wheeling Central scored 31 seconds into the final period as Blass netted his third goal and seemingly the Maroon Knights’ first title. ‘‘After every period, it’s tough coming off and having the zamboni come out,’’ Blass said. ‘‘You get kind of stiff, but you just got to come out with the same intensity every period, and it’s really important to get that first goal in the beginning of every period to set the tone.’’ Morgantown’s best chance to get back in the game came midway through the third period as the Mohawks had a 5-on-3 power play for 1:30. But Pie came up big, and the Maroon Knights defenders laid some big hits to kill off both penalties. Pie, whose nerves were at a high the day before, was more calm and collected and it showed, stopping 30 shots. ‘‘After beating Park, everything went down,’’ Pie said. ‘‘I was able to play my best out there.’’ Herron scored an empty-net goal, and Morgantown’s Ryan Wise scored a late tally to conclude the scoring. “It feels great. I can’t even explain it,’’ Blass said. Added Pie: “It’s the best feeling ever.’’ W.Va. State Hockey Championships Final (at WesBanco Arena) Wheeling Central 6, Morgantown 3 W — Goals: Blass 3, Herron 2, Catalano; Assists: Garan 3, Grubler 2, Herron, Taylor, Stahl. Goalkeeper: Pie (30 saves); M — Goals: David, Theeke, Wise; Assists: Adams, Arthurs, David, Taylor; Goalkeeper: Lawrence (22 saves).