Goodwin helps Spartans sip from 14th Challenge Cup

Andrew Jansen photo

DeSmet senior David Goodwin scored three goals in regulation in the 2010 St. Louis Blues High School Challenge Cup championship game Wednesday night at the Scottrade Center.

But it was an almost sure goal in sudden death overtime which would have been the one that Goodwin would most remember.

Goodwin would more than atone for that miss as he scored his fourth goal of the game which proved to be the game-winner and championship-winner with :34.6 seconds left in the first 10-minute sudden death period to give the Spartans a 5-4 win over defending champion and top seed, CBC.

“I could have been home in bed right now,” Goodwin joked after the game if he had scored the goal in the first few seconds of overtime.

“Their goaltender, (Justin) Davis, misplayed the puck and I couldn’t believe that I had a wide open net,” Goodwin said.

And he certainly couldn’t believe that he missed from in front in what might have been his easiest goal opportunity of his career.

“If I had not redeemed myself I may never have put skates on again,” Goodwin said. “It was really eating away at me when I was sitting on the bench. I told myself I was going to put one in the net and win it.”

Goodwin would do so with an assist off the skate of CBC defenseman Ryan Trenz. Goodwin made a good play in getting past a couple of Cadet players and centering the puck in front. It would hit Trenz’s skate and deflect into the goal.

“It wasn’t the prettiest goal I have ever scored but it was one I will never forget,” Goodwin said. “Any goal is good, especially in this situation.”

It set off a wild celebration as DeSmet players came off the bench to participate in a huge pile up in front of the net. They then took their celebration to the boards where they partied with the green-clad Spartan faithful.

“The fans have been amazing this post season,” Goodwin said. “We had a pep rally today at school and I think that over half of our school was here tonight. We owe this to them and the coaches. We loved to win this for them.”

The title was the record 14th for the Spartans in the 39-year history of the event and their first since 2002. CBC, which has won seven titles since 2001, was looking for its 12th title.

“I was afraid that missed opportunity in overtime was going to come back and haunt us,” DeSmet coach John Murray said. “But we have been fighting uphill battles all year. The last time I was behind the bench for a Mid-States championship was 20 years ago at the old barn when DeSmet beat CBC. This is very rewarding. I am so proud of the guys. It is special any time you win a championship, be it against CBC, Oakville, SLUH or whoever you play. But it is even more rewarding and special to beat the champ from the previous year and CBC is always the prohibitive favorite.”

The Cadets, who had won the last three championships, scored the first goal of the game as Nick Saracino deflected in a pass from Nick Chiodini on a delayed penalty in the final minute. Goodwin would tie it with two seconds remaining in the period.

DeSmet took its second lead of the game on a goal by senior Bryan Niedbalski early in the second period on a brilliant individual effort. But that was matched by CBC’s Dominic Valencia just over a minute later.

CBC would take both a 4-2 lead and a lot of momentum as Saracino scored an NHL-caliber goal, top shelf, in the final seconds of the second period, and Jack Ryan scored on a power play in the first minute of the third period.

But it was all Goodwin the rest of the way. He scored a power play goal at 2:23 of the third period and got his hat trick, scoring right at the end of a power play, at 9:43.

Both teams had great chances in a wide open overtime as both Davis and DeSmet’s Nic Herrmann came up with big saves before Goodwin ended the classic contest which will be long remembered by area hockey fans.

“It was an outstanding game for high school hockey,” CBC coach John Jost said. “It was a great from a spectator standpoint but it is so disappointing for us. The seniors had a great four years and it is a tough way for them to go out. I hurt for the seniors and they hurt now. Some day they will realize all they accomplished here. They are down now but they have had a lot more ups than downs.”