Columbus Icemen coach Troy Tyner talks to his team at Saturday’s Indiana State High School Hockey Association Class 2A state final in South Bend.
Submitted photo
SOUTH BEND — After pulling out a pair of overtime wins in last weekend’s playdown tournament, the Columbus Icemen were in a familiar spot when they found themselves in overtime against the Fort Wayne Vipers in Saturday’s Indiana State High School Hockey Association Class 2A final.
Unfortunately for the Icemen, this overtime didn’t yield the same result. The Vipers scored in the second OT to claim a 4-3 victory.
“We endured, but we came up a little short,” first-year Icemen coach Troy Tyner said.
Fort Wayne scored about a minute into the game, then added another first-period goal to take a 2-0 lead. The Icemen got on the board in the second period on a goal by junior Calijah Kenney off an assist from sophomore Drew Weed, but the Vipers scored again to take a 3-1 lead going to the third.
“They came out and scored a goal within the first minute and got us back on our heels,” Tyner said. “We were playing catch-up for most of the game.”
Still trailing 3-1 with about five minutes remaining, Kenney scored off an assist from junior Logan Wallace to cut it to 3-2. The Icemen then took advantage of a power play, with sophomore River Degner scoring off an assist from senior Dane Weinzapfel with about three minutes left to tie the game.
“We were still in a power play and had some opportunities to put it away, but didn’t get it done,” Tyner said.
The teams played a 4×4, 5-minute sudden death overtime, with neither scoring. Then, in a 3v3, 10-minute sudden death overtime, Fort Wayne scored an early goal to win it.
“It was kind of a crushing blow to a great season,” Tyner said. “But everybody did a great job — the boys, the parents, the coaching staff. I can’t complain.”
The Vipers outshot the Icemen 35-24. Senior Ben Blanz recorded 31 saves.
“They had more shots in the game,” Tyner said. “I thought we had the better opportunities. Our goalie, Ben Blanz, played outstanding. He did an excellent job for us.””
The Icemen finished the season 22-17-6. They lose five seniors who were freshmen on the 2021 2A state championship team, but return plenty of talent.
“We’ll miss those seniors from a leadership standpoint the most,” Tyner said. “But it’s an opportunity for the next group to step up. I’m always optimistic.”
