Both teams relied on their All-SHL goalies early. Loyola's Hugh Brady and Stevenson's Elias Sandholm helped keep things level, until the first highlight reel moment of a game that was full of them.
"I think everybody got their money's worth from a goaltending aspect," Loyola Gold Co-Coach DJ LaVarre said. "Some great saves, but I'm happy I had my guy at the end."
Loyola forward Aidan Finegan beat Sandholm glove side with a top shelf snipe that ignited the Rambler fans in attendance at the United Center. It would be their last opportunity to cheer for a while, as the title game briefly turned into the Jackson Leptich show.
Stevenson's captain scored twice for the Patriots and gave Stevenson the lead in an increasingly physical second period. Leptich scored his first goal right from the faceoff dot to stun Loyola and bring Stevenson level at the end of the first period. His second came when Leptich collected a puck that deflected off a Rambler skate, firing home a shot to put Stevenson in the lead.
Loyola refused go away, taking advantage of their own deflections as a shot from distance clipped a skate and trickled past Sandholm to make it 2-2 heading into the final period.
Neither team seemed to take control in the third period, until the game, season and state championship came down to one more deflection.
Nick Leibers game-winner came with less than five minutes to go in the third period, hitting a stick on its way past Sandholm and into Loyola Gold history. The Ramblers added an empty goal to seal the deal in the final minute.
This goal, of course, was also deflected.
For a team that hasn't seen much bounce their way in the state tournament since 1996, Loyola's time was finally here.
"22 years is a long time," LaVarre said. "It's just time to reflect and enjoy."
