The official site of the Torch, the student-run newspaper at Glenbrook North High School.

Torch

The official site of the Torch, the student-run newspaper at Glenbrook North High School.

Torch

The official site of the Torch, the student-run newspaper at Glenbrook North High School.

Torch

Spartans win state championship

The hockey team celebrates its overtime win over Benet in the Blackhawk Cup state championship game at the United Center on Sunday, March 22. Junior Joey Day scored the game-winning goal to give the Spartans their first state championship since 2008 and fifth in the program’s history. Photo by Gabe Weininger
The hockey team celebrates its overtime win over Benet in the Blackhawk Cup state championship game at the United Center on Sunday, March 22. Junior Joey Day scored the game-winning goal to give the Spartans their first state championship since 2008 and fifth in the program’s history. Photo by Gabe Weininger

As the Blackhawk Cup state championship game at the United Center headed into overtime, Head Coach Evan Poulakidas told his team it only takes one shot to win.

With 54.5 seconds left in the overtime period, forward Joey Day scored, giving the hockey team a 3-2 victory over Benet. Day’s goal secured the state championship for the Spartans.

“I looked over at the whole student section and saw a bunch of green and gold and I was like, ‘Did that really happen?’” said Day. “And then [my teammates] just tackled me.”

Captains Kyle Slovis and Alex Merritt said the celebration in the locker room after the game was surreal.

“I don’t think a single person took off a piece of gear for another half hour…everyone was just so excited,” senior Alex Merritt said.

Poulakidas said he was relieved his team had finally won the championship, but he is especially happy for his players.

“They had earned it,” said Poulakidas. “This group was so determined, dedicated and committed to getting this done. I was so happy for them, for the community and for the school. There is no team that I have coached, ever, that worked as hard as they did going into the season and throughout the season.”

Merritt said that after consecutive losses in the previous two state championships, this victory made it the greatest day of his life.

“Losing twice is the worst feeling I’ve ever had,” said Merritt. “You work for 14 years playing hockey with the same group of guys to get to [the championship]…and you then have to watch the seniors leave and you almost feel like it’s your fault.”

Merritt scored first with a shorthanded goal with 13:46 remaining in the second period. Less than two minutes later, forward Logan Nein scored off a pass from Slovis.

Slovis, who was named the JJ O’Connor Player of the Year, said playing with the same people for so many years and working so hard to win a championship made it feel like he was playing for something bigger than just a championship.

Merritt said hockey alumni were in contact with players both before and after the game.

“I had [multiple] texts from former teammates [who] were ecstatic and so proud to say they were part of GBN hockey,” said Merritt. “We kind of dedicated that win to all the former players who had lost in the past [two] years.”

The hockey team finished the season with 63 wins, a program record, and as Scholastic Hockey League co-champions with New Trier Green.

“Everyone sees the games and the championships and all that we do on the ice, but what these guys give up to play hockey is incredible,” Poulakidas said.

“GBN hockey has been the best experience of my life, so finishing it off right was incredible,” said Slovis. “For the fans, the alumni, the community and the team, winning state was everything.”

Forward Chris Zhang,  who is an assistant captain, avoids Benet defenders. Photo by Gabe Weininger
Forward Chris Zhang, who is an assistant captain, avoids Benet defenders. Photo by Gabe Weininger