State Champs! Hockey Team Dominates En Route to Fourth Title

The hockey team beat reigning state champion Sylvania Northview 3-1 to win the OHSAA hockey state championship March 9 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus.

Seniors Connor Siwik, John Longman and Jonathan Greenberg scored goals for Shaker. Senior Nick LaPlante scored Sylvania’s lone goal.

The Raiders scored first, 3:02 into the first period, with Longman assisting Greenberg on a breakaway. Sylvania Northview tied it on a power play. Longman scored 12:38 into the first period, assisted by Siwik and junior Max Yauch, to put Shaker up for good.

Sylvania outshot Shaker 26-23, but goalie Eric Sterin made a number of great saves as Shaker played excellent defense throughout the contest.

Each team committed four penalties and scored one power-play goal.

The title is Shaker’s fourth state hockey championship. Previously, the Raiders won in 2001, 1993 and 1981 — all with Head Coach Michael Bartley, Ohio’s winningest high school hockey coach, at the helm.

To advance to the state final four, Shaker, seeded number 1 in the Kent District, beat Notre Dame Cathedral Latin 10-1, Mentor 8-1, Walsh Jesuit 5-3 and University School 2-1 in double overtime.

The Raiders beat Rocky River 4-2 March 8 in the state semifinal game to advance to the state championship.

Shaker’s fans were loud and ecstatic throughout the contest. “The energy in the arena is overwhelming and it makes me proud to be a Raider,” senior Ariella Altchouler said.

“I was very excited to be here” said senior Clifton Turner. “I never thought I would see Shaker win a state championship. I’m just so happy to be here.”

Photos by staff photographer Will McKnight.

 

 

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