Since York’s JV team clinched Metro-West less than 2 weeks ago, they’ve added an exclamation mark.  Defeating Oak Park River Forest with an 11-2 victory this week, the team had an opportunity to mix things up a bit, try different positions, coach themselves and put up lots of goals.  Sean Marchese #22 came out so incredibly strong scoring about 2 minutes into the game. OPRF answered back less than 2 minutes later.  Sean wasn’t about to have his lead stripped so he answered back with an assist by Brad Johnson #25 with goal 2.  Less than one minute later, he got his hat trick, assisted by Brad Johnson #25 and Dalton Osmanski #66.  While Sean’s dad couldn’t throw the hat, he donned some creative eyewear!  In the second period, Dakota Lamb #14 was assisted by Brian Gleason #32 after a powerful shot from the blue line by Thomas Gnadt #88.  Marchese was not slowing down. With another assist by Johnson #25 and Adam Kosecki #19, “KZ” put his 4^th on the board!  Tyler Winker #74 does an incredibly unselfish job, playing smart all the way and this time “KZ” and Johnson both assisted “Wink” with his goal.  Defenseman Sean Delaney “Delay” #7 was assisted by “KZ”…yep again… for the next goal.  Gleason scored next on an unassisted shorty. To have some fun and demonstrate good sportsmanship, the coaches let the boys choose positions.  They were often forced to remind one another and the fans heard “get back on the blue line defense” or a teammate cheering on a “new” offenseman.  The ones who normally played offense moved back and defense moved in often confusing themselves! The 9^th goal was scored by Gnadt, assisted once again by “KZ” and “Delay”.   OPRF snuck one more in before Johnson responded with one of his own on a breakaway where he then faked the wrist shot and went forehand to back-hand to put it in.  He was assisted by “Wink” and John Peterson #24.  The final goal came with 28 seconds left by Michael LeDonne, assisted by Paul Restivo #13. 

      York was set for revenge on Naperville Central this weekend. NC previously played in York’s home rink. York was winning 5-2; NC came back with seconds left to defeat them.  York’s goal was to even the score and take back the win.  Despite missing their captain and leading scorer, they again demonstrated why they’re such a great team.  The first goal, assisted by #57 John Harrell, made by #32 Brian Gleason who snuck it right by the goalie.  Osmanski put the 2^nd one up with an assist by Gleason and “KZ”.  “KZ” was on fire again tonight scoring the next one unassisted by taking it around and across to score. Going into the 3^rd period, York held NC with a 3-0 lead. One parent said “hope the coach told the boys don’t take any lead for granted”. Sure enough NC scored the next 2 and suddenly York was only up by 1.   Gnadt made one player jump out of the way with his hard shot from the blue line.  “KZ” was there to deflect it in.  In two games, Marchese single-handedly logged ten points to his stats. Two games!

    As the boys left the ice and headed for the visiting locker room, one parent received a text.  The 2010 AHAI/Blackhawk Cup High School pairings were in.  Word quickly spread the York JV made history one more time for the club.  York Hockey JV ranked 6^th in State!  Their attitude is “we’re not done yet”.  They modestly smiled, but held off on the celebration.  Like their Chicago Blackhawks, they too have one goal in mind.