With a 6-1 win over York in the State quarterfinals, New Trier Green showed what a difference a week makes. York had taken New Trier into double overtime during the SHL playoffs back on February 24th and Green fell to Loyola Gold Sunday (2-0) in the SHL championship game but cruised past the Dukes Tuesday night in Bensenville.  

New Trier’s Henry Freedman said they came together as a team and had a meeting after that loss and decided they needed to shift their focus to state. 

“As much as we wanted to win the SHL Finals, at the end of the day it’s all about state this year,” he said. “Coming into this game we said we need energy, we need goals.”

The energy was definitely felt through the stands as New Trier and York kept a close first period. John Norehad found the back of the net for New Trier with six minutes left in the first. Matt Anikiej tied it up for York in the second but a power play goal from Freedman broke the tie and the Trevians took control. 

“I couldn’t even control my emotions,” said Freedman. “I was screaming on the bench, everyone was going crazy and after that we realized we’re the better team in this tournament, we’re the No. 1 seed and we should be going to the United Center.”

Logan Izenstark scored with 7 minutes left in the second and a burst came from Brian Dolby and Freedman following within ten seconds with his second goal of the night for a 5-1 lead. Patrick Chang capped it off with a goal in the third. 

“It’s going back to grind hockey” Dolby said. “We know what we have to do to get it done; get the puck deep, chase it and just finish it and we all believe in each other. Our whole mindset is we’re going to win no matter what, at all costs.”

New Trier Green will play Saint Viator Monday, March 11th at 8:45pm in Bensenville for the Semifinals.