Hockey: Upper Arlington outlasts Olentangy Berlin for 3rd CBJ Cup
Sunday, February 11, 2024
By Michael Rich
mrich@cbussports.com
Upper Arlington’s Tate Rook (15) chips one past Olentangy Berlin goaltender Kai Nelson during the CBJ Cup championship game Feb. 11 at the OhioHealth Ice Haus. Photo: Kevin Lam
Tate Rook was a little surprised when he woke up this morning feeling as good as he did. The Upper Arlington hockey team survived double overtime and he didn’t get home until after 11:30 p.m.
But the freshman forward was full of energy and scored two goals to help the Golden Bears defeat Olentangy Berlin 7-5 to win the Blue Jackets Cup championship on Feb. 11 at the OhioHealth Ice Haus.
Third-seeded UA, which improved to 18-12-2-1 overall, survived rival and second-seeded St. Charles 2-1 in double overtime in the semifinal round the previous night.
“I felt nice when I woke up,” said Rook, who scored two goals and had a third called off because of interference. “All my energy was there and I feel like I had a positive attitude going into the game. I thought I was going to be a little gassed today after the double overtime against St. Charles. I didn’t play very well yesterday. But today, I came out hot and scored a couple.”
In a game where 12 penalties were called and both teams were forced to fight off a five-on-three, UA did just a little more with their opportunities.
Upper Arlington’s Zach Teague (right) celebrates his short-handed goal against Olentangy Berlin during the CBJ Cup championship game at the OhioHealth Ice Haus Feb. 11. Photo: Kevin Lam
“We had some power play goals, but I wasn’t too happy with the power play (overall),” Golden Bears coach Craig Hagkull said. “We had two five-on-threes that we didn’t capitalize on. If we do that, there isn’t even a question (in the outcome).”
Rook’s first goal, which came on a man-advantage, was scored through a pile of bodies in front on a rebound of shots by Ty Rook and Charlie Thackeray with 6 minutes, 21 seconds remaining in the first period.
“(Tate Rook) is the only freshman we have,” Hagkull said. “He’s a 15-year-old and he’s played some really good games and some not so good games. But he’s ridiculously skilled. He just has some great hands. He’s a game-changer all the time.”
UA held the lead from there on.
Fifth-seeded Berlin got four goals by Nick Patton, including their only one on five power play opportunities, which came with 11:02 remaining.
But it was offset moments prior when Zachary Teague stole the puck at the blue line and scored a shorthanded goal for UA. It was the second time UA held a three-goal lead, leading 5-2 after opening the game with the first three goals.
Olentangy Berlin’s Nick Patton (88) shoots for one of his three goals against Upper Arlington during the CBJ Cup championship game Feb. 11 at the OhioHealth Ice Haus. Photo: Kevin Lam
Myles Edgson scored through traffic in front to pull Berlin within 5-4 with 7:37 remaining.
But UA got a pair of Braydon Kuhns empty net goals in the final minute to seal the win.
Connor Hagkull and Matthew Russo also had goals and Teague, Kuhns and Jason Davis each added assists for UA.
Egson, Blake Bauer and Wyatt Gernert each had assists for Berlin, which fell to 15-11-2-2.
Kai Nelson had 38 saves for Berlin and Mason Herndon had 28 for UA.
UA is seeded third in the upcoming regional tournament and play the winner of 15th-seeded Troy and 17th-seeded Watterson on Feb. 18.
Berlin, seeded fourth, plays sixth-seeded or 19th-seeded Beavercreek on Feb. 17.
Liberty is the top seed and St. Charles is seeded second.
“To me, what (winning the CBJ Cup) means is that we’re peaking at the right time,” coach Hagkull said. “At the start of the year and even in the middle, we were inconsistent. But we’re starting to put up some numbers. We’re playing really well defensively, but we’re starting to score some goals. So, I’m excited about where we’re at going into (the tournament).”
The Upper Arlington Golden Bears with the CBJ Cup after defeating Olentangy Liberty 7-5 at the OhioHealth Ice Haus Feb. 11. Photo: Kevin Lam