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Pair of Wins Propels WCA Hockey into State Quarterfinals

Despite a tough preliminary round schedule, the WCA Varsity Hockey team advanced to the elite eight in the Challenge Cup playoffs.

With the 11th seed in the playoffs, the Cats were statistical underdogs in every game of the prelims. Their first game came against conference rivals Eureka. Having lost to Eureka on two occasions in the regular season, the Cats undoubtedly had a chip on their shoulder. A strong offensive performance saw Westminster power past Eureka 6-4. Freshman Jack Canfield posted a whopping 3 goals, and the Wildcats managed a season high 43 shots on net. Senior Willie Canfield also posted a goal, and juniors Zach Nall and Bradley Jones also scored.

In their second round robin game, the Cats faced off against the 2015 state runner up SLUH Jr Bills. In the opening minute of the game, senior Gannon Mcward put the Cats up early, slotting home from the high slot. As was expected, the Bills bounced back quickly, scoring 3 unanswered goals. Late in the second, Willie Canfield scored a goal to bring the score to 3-2, but a quick response by SLUH at the beginning of the 3rd pushed the game out of reach. Junior Zach Nall brought the Cats within one with under a minute to play, but Westminster ultimately fell 4-3.

The Cats third game was an elimination game. With the high amount of talented teams in their bracket, a win was the only way the Wildcats could move on to the quarterfinals. To get there, they had to face off against the tough Fort Zumwalt East Lions. The Wildcats came out of the gate strong and posted a dream start to the game. Juniors Nick Callier and Jason Kelly, as well as senior Willie Canfield all scored early in the first period. In the second, the Cats continued their hot start. Canfield and Kelly both found the net again, with assists from junior Connor Dolan and seniors Jake Schroeder and Mcward. The Lions scored two quick goals to make the game a contest, but it was too little too late. Mcward scored twice in the third and Schroeder picked up another assist to end the game at a respectable 7-3 Cats.

Be sure to catch the Varsity Hockey team as they take on the #1 ranked CBC Cadets in the quarterfinals. Times and dates TBA.