The final 1:18 of Sunday’s game between York and Cathedral Prep was emotion-filled and action-packed as the visitors from Erie, Penn., did everything they could to strike again on York goalie Oscar Pysz.

The physical, at times chippy, clash on November 12th was the fourth and final game for both teams in the inaugural SHL Showcase, played in Mount Prospect. The referees at times had their hands full separating these battling on-ice foes and yelling coaches.

When the final buzzer blasted inside the Central Rink, it was York that celebrated its 3-2 victory. 

“This was a well-played game,” York head coach Matt Boeing said. “It was an awesome, competitive game. The kids were battling in every corner.

“The message today was, get back to basics and play our style of hockey – and that’s exactly what we did. Neutral zone play was good; gaps looked well; zone entry was good. We got back to our forecheck and D-zone coverage. This was a great learning opportunity and momentum-builder.”

Especially those final 78 seconds, after Chris Bruschi tallied on the powerplay with a wrap around goal, making it 3-2. “We had pressure down low and I came around, went five-hole with a little wrap around,” he said.

Cathedral Prep head coach Mark Sprickman was smiling after the game, despite the outcome. “I like this hockey; this is my kind of hockey,” he said. “The difference was, we couldn’t put the puck in the back of the net. We struggled with that. We had about four open (net chances), but just can’t finish”.

Overall, Sprickman said he “loved the event,” said already wants to be invited back in 2024. “This was a great experience,” he said. “My boys should go back and be able to dominate because they were pushed and played some of the top teams (in Illinois).”

Cathedral Prep skated to a 3-3 tie against Carmel and lost identical 3-1 games to Glenbrook South and Stevenson.

The Titans truly impressed Sprickman. “(GBS) plays hard and physical. They move the puck well and are well-coached. They run 20-deep. They impressed me every game.

“There were a lot of kids on every team with a lot of talent – that’s why I want to be back next year. There wasn’t a weak team in the event. This is exactly what I was hoping for.”

York struck first with a Noah Hughes unassisted tally midway into the first period as he slammed home a rebound in front of the net. 

“We’re not where we want to be as of today in the SHL and wanted this weekend to be one where we figured things out, get back on track because I really think we’re a good team,” Hughes said. “This was the most physical game we’ve played all year and everyone was into it; the energy was high and the boys were buzzing. If we can build off this weekend, I think we will be successful. We got confidence from the weekend.”

The Dukes defeated Medina (Ohio) 3-1 in their Showcase opener, then stopped Jesuit College Prep (Texas) 3-0. York had to settle for a 4-4 tie against North Broward Prep.

The Dukes return to SHL action this upcoming weekend with a Friday night home game against Glenbrook North and a Saturday game in Glenview against Glenbrook South.

York is 6-9 in league play.

“This was a competitive game; I’m happy we were able to finish it off,” Boeing said. “Overall, the Showcase … (Saint Viator head coach) Tim Benz did a heckuva job putting this event together. Props to the Viator organization throughout the weekend; they were very helpful and friendly. It really was great seeing competition we don’t normally see and the networking opportunities.

“I can’t wait to see where this event goes in the future to continue to advance high school hockey. The event was incredible; it was great to see where we stack up against some solid competition.”

Cathedral Prep tied the game 1-1at 13:46 of the second period on Vinnie Scalise’s rebound goal, assisted by Mathius Sprickman.

York regained the lead about six minutes later, on John Sanfilippo’s rebound tally, assisted by Andrew Papadopoulos.

“I thought we played all right; we could have played better, especially (with) the small stuff of the game,” Scalise said. “We could have played harder and should have buried more goals. I just think they wanted it a little more than us.”

Luke Composono scored the game-winner unassisted on the powerplay at 10:03 of the third period.

“Our screen in the middle pushed the defense out, and I saw a lane right to the net and thought I’d take it. It was a pretty sweet goal. I went across the crease and knew that the goalie would drop; I didn’t think he’d get the butterfly push across, so I read that and (scored),” Composono said. “It was a great game overall, but chippy.”

Composono said Cathedral Prep skated similar to the style of Saint Viator with a physical presence throughout.

“This weekend was pretty big for us,” he said. “This Showcase gave us the chance to put our skill level up against some new, different teams who we don’t normally play against.”

Pysz turned away 18 shots to secure the York victory. Cathedral Prep goalie Ian Brown made 30 saves.

“It was a very good game, though at the start of the second period it got very chippy. That’s when everything really intensified, when everything went to that next level,” Pysz said. 

And Cathedral Prep’s late third period goal “made it very intense” for the last minute, he said.

“I think we played well, particularly as a team. We were passing really well and this was just a big weekend for us. We learned a lot and improved our team chemistry,” Pysz said. “I hope (this Showcase success) translates into SHL play, and we continue to get on (our foes) right away in the first (period).

“We came out buzzing in every game; I think that was the big difference.”