Episcopal captain Cole Peskin set the tone very early, delivering a big open ice hit eight seconds in. From there it was a clash of styles between the two teams, as Haverford used their speed and tenacity to shoot and shoot often. Episcopal, down three of their top defensemen and a top-6 forward, opted for quality over quantity, patience over pressing, to set themselves up with quality chances.

Both teams killed off a penalty in the early stages of the first period, but the Episcopal power play would come through on their second opportunity. Sophomore Max Godshall, who scored the game-winner in last year’s final, delivered the first strike of this year’s title game with four and a half minutes left in the opening stanza.

Unfortunately for the Churchmen, that lead would last only 16 seconds. Haverford’s forechecking forced a turnover in the Episcopal zone, and junior Will Forman would bury it to knot the tilt at 1-1.

And it only took them 43 seconds to answer, as Godshall would strike on the power play yet again to cut the Churchman deficit to 3-2. And in the waning seconds of the period Episcopal had a shining opportunity at an equalizer as a lofting pass from the Episcopal zone found its mark to a forward who had a step on a Haverford defender. But Bradley calmly made the stop on the last-second chance, and the Fords took the lead into the third.

With less than five minutes remaining, Jack Torr had a tantalizing chance in front of the net, but Mackey was able to make a snow angel stop, pinning the puck under his ribs.

Forman had a breakaway opportunity with around 100 seconds remaining, but the Churchman D forced his attempt through the goal mouth; off-target and with no white sweaters in the area to help him. Episcopal swept the chance away, and all further Haverford chances in regulation Mackey turned aside.

Regulation elapsed, and overtime commenced. Episcopal had their minds on history repeating itself, while Haverford looked to avenge last year’s outcome.

Haverford continued to bombard Mackey. It felt as though for every shot on goal, another was wide, high, or off iron. There were also plenty of chances for the Fords that the officials blew dead for the net being knocked off of its moorings; which those in attendance wearing burgundy and gold might say Mackey was doing on purpose.

Finally, with just under three minutes left in the extra frame, the title-winning goal was scored. And, just like last year, it was a freshman who did so. Haverford’s Michael DiPalma, who had been called for two of the Fords’ three penalties in regulation, would make all of that disappear. In yet another goal mouth scramble, DiPalma would bury a rebound past Mackey; sending the Fords faithful into a euphoric frenzy and causing some of the Churchmen to collapse in disbelief.

Haverford outshot Episcopal by an overwhelming 61-22 margin over 52 minutes and 11 seconds. Bradley made 19 saves in the win for the Fords while Mackey made an unbelievable 57 stops in an effort that, while falling just short, should be celebrated by the Churchmen and their supporters.

Both teams got three opportunities on the man advantage, with Episcopal converting twice and Haverford connecting once.

“I’m proud of this group, they grew a lot over the year,” said Haverford head coach Thomas Lindberg. “Most importantly, they learned how to close. And beating a team three times- we couldn’t do it last year, but we did it this year- and that means a lot; for the seniors and for the whole group.

Indeed the Fords finished 11-0 in the IHL, including the title game, and went 13-5-1 overall.

Moran would add that he had never had a closer-knit group of teammates with a higher level of chemistry than this team.

“It was just a really good hockey game between two good teams,” said Episcopal head coach Steven Schuh. “I thought our guys did great, they played hard. Probably our best game of the year but hats off to Haverford; they just got one more than we did.