Detroit Catholic Central claims third straight D1 state title
By @MichaelCaples –
PLYMOUTH – Mission: Defend State Title complete for CC.
Detroit Catholic Central posted a 3-0 victory over rival Brighton Saturday evening at a packed USA Hockey Arena to capture a third straight Division I state title.
“No better feeling than winning your last game at CC,” said captain Brian Kearns. “I think it’s been such a ride for us, I don’t think there’s a better feeling in the world than going out with a win.”
Glynn Robitaille, Nick Macari and Cody Borke scored for the Shamrocks, while Alec Calvaruso made 15 saves in the contest to lead CC to their first title under new head coach Brandon Kaleniecki.
“I won two when I was here as a player,” Kaleniecki said, “and to win this one, it’s certainly a different feeling. You’re filled with so much pride and the amount of effort that the players give, it’s very fulfilling as a coach because you get to watch them experience those types of things that you did as a player. You’re just filled with so much pride and so happy for them because they got it done.”
With the victory, CC improves to 2-1 in title-game showdowns with Brighton; the Shamrocks won in 2014, while Brighton won in 2013. The two rivals have claimed the last five Division 1 titles.
PHOTO GALLERY: Detroit Catholic Central wins D1 state title
“You know, we’ve had a good run,” said Brighton coach Paul Moggach. “It’s been either us or CC the last five years…it’s clearly a great rivalry, and I think that’s what’s important. To get here, it’s hard to explain. It just feels so good. The season is complicated, there are a lot of things going on, and then you get in that six-game playoff series – it’s a really an honor to be here and see the crowd and how the building fills up and representing our town against a rival, it’s an amazing feeling.”
The two teams played to a scoreless tie in the first period, though Brighton’s Jake Crespi had a chance to give his team an early lead. The junior forward was an awarded a penalty shot at the 5:17 mark of the opening frame after rushing down the ice while shorthanded and drawing a slashing penalty.
Catholic Central out-shot Brighton 15-5 in the first period, but couldn’t find a way to get a puck past goaltender Logan Neaton.
The Shamrocks’ Robitaille broke the game open by burying a loose puck in front of the Brighton goal at the 7:56 mark of the middle frame.
Nick Macari increased the lead to 2-0 at the 14:22 mark of the second period when he raced down the left wing, flew past a Brighton defender and put the puck over Neaton’s left shoulder.
The Shamrocks wasted little time establishing control in the third period, as Cody Borke buried a shot from in close to make it a 3-0 game.
From there, it was all Calvaruso, as the CC goaltender slammed the door on numerous scoring chances for the Bulldogs, including a five-on-three power play that turned into a six-on-three when Brighton pulled their goalie with roughly two minutes to play in regulation.
“There’s really nothing to explain it really,” Macari said. “I feel on top of the world right now. I’ve been on the team for three years and we’re fortunate to win all three years. Just got better and better each year, and knowing that I went out on top as a senior, nothing better.”