BY: GRACIE CLEVELAND
PITTSBURGH, PA--The Malvern Prep Friars (East) match against the North Allegheny High School Tigers (West) for the AAA Division Pennsylvania State Championship happened this past Saturday, April 24. The title game took place at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex located in Cranberry Township outside of downtown Pittsburgh.
This was the Tigers fourth return to the championship arena after losing to La Salle College High School the year prior.
For Malvern Prep however, it has been 16 years since the Friars laced up their skates for a state title game. The wait was definitely worth it. The Friars defeated Tigers 4-2 making this their third title win since 2004.
The Friars buckled up for a seemingly adverse ride after Tiger, Nate Spak, swooped down in the face of Friar goalie, Anthony Perti, to knock one in just three minutes into the game. Friar defenseman, Quinn Dougherty, pushed pressure towards the Tigers zone with Josh Bailey set in goal as Jeremy Jacobs' puck found its way to Dougherty’s stick for a propped shot between the bars.
“North Allegheny came out fast and we came out flat. It took us a few shifts to find our stride. Once we settled down and played our system, we started to play like we have all season," said Malvern Prep head coach, Bill Keenan.
Malvern Prep State Championship Highlights
Less than 30 seconds passed when the Friars indeed found that rhythm, and Jack Costabile matched his position on center ice with Bailey who fell short of protecting the net from Costabile’s line drive shot to the left corner. Costabile followed up on his tie-breaking goal two minutes later when he sent one between the bars to put the Friars up 3-1 heading into the second period.
Malvern Prep senior forward Jack Costabile scored 2 goals helping secure the Title. (video-Gracie Cleveland)
Malvern Prep junior Matt Harris talks about his team coming out strong for the win. (video- Gracie Cleveland)
“We definitely came out strong. We knew that we had to keep playing to put the puck in the net, and we are good at getting rebounds so that’s how we scored most of our goals. It feels good going out as a winner," said Costabile after the game.
The offensive propulsion commenced after back-to-back goals were completed by Jimmy Kirk for the Friars and Connor Chi for the Tigers. With 14:20 left in the game and a 4-2 score, the Tigers could not pick up the pace to get in a goal. After multiple slapshots that skid off the bars, the Tigers slowed down and accepted defeat of the Friars.
“Being a part of a state champion is a special moment for these boys. We set a goal in the beginning of the season to win a Flyers Cup Championship and a State Championship. To hear the final buzzer sound and watch those boys celebrate, showed all the hard work paid off," said Keenan reflecting on the big win.
Malvern Prep Wins 2021 3A State Championship. (photos by Gracie Cleveland)
The Friars gathered on the ice at the sound of the final buzzer as their faces lit up the rink with pride. The Friars' and Tigers' blood, sweat and tears were left out on the ice that evening, with both teams hoping to redeem those feelings again next season.