It was a feat that had only been accomplished by one other Catholic League hockey program in the previous four decades.
So it was easy to understand why a number of people wrote off Fenwick after it dropped Game 1 of the Kennedy Cup finals.
But the Friars showed on March 9, in the decisive Game 3 why they are the kings of the Catholic League.
Behind the stellar play of goaltender Sal Calace, Fenwick won its fourth consecutive Kennedy Cup with a 4-0 victory over Mt. Carmel in front of an overflow crowd at Southwest Ice Arena in Crestwood.
The Friars, who won the best-of-three series 2-1, tied a record by winning their fourth Cup in a row. The only other program to accomplish that feat in the 41 years of the prestigious tournament was Mt. Carmel (1997-2000), which was in search of a record 21st cup.
“This is one of the most amazing feelings I’ve ever had in my life,” said Calace, who was named finals MVP. “I wanted to go out as a champion, and to record a shutout makes it even sweeter.”
Andrew Yocius opened the scoring with 11:05 to play in the first period. After the Caravan had just killed off a penalty, the Fenwick freshman beat goalie Larry Knight with a point-blank wrister to the upper-right corner.
“What we accomplished is something that may never be accomplished again,” said Fenwick’s Joe Fornari, who played a big part in the Friars winning four straight titles. “It’s something we’ll be able to talk about for the rest of our lives.”
Fenwick took control for good in the second period by scoring two goals and killing off two five-on-three advantages.
Nick Powers’ goal extended the Friars’ lead to 2-0 with 9:20 left in the second period. Before the Caravan knew it, Fenwick struck again when Matt McLaughlin scored with a slapper from the right point 32 seconds later.
Mount Carmel had numerous chances to get back in the game, but was unable to capitalize on four Fenwick penalties in the second period. The Caravan had at least a one-man advantage for 4:31, but it couldn’t solve Calace.
“I was nervous in the first period, but after I made a few saves, I settled down,” said Calace, who recorded his seventh shutout of the season. “Everything happened so fast tonight, and all I did was react.”
Freshman Mike Freitag closed out the scoring with 2:05 to play
Fenwick’s run in the Blackhawk Cup, however, came to a halt Saturday as Loyola Gold defeated the Friars 4-1 in quarterfinal play at The Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville.
The loss ended Fenwick’s streak of four consecutive seasons in the State championship game.
Mike Freitag had the lone goal for Fenwick, cutting the deficit to 3-1 early in the second period. Calace had 22 saves in goal.
“It’s tough to know it’s over,” Fornari said. “But when you look at our class, we really put together a great run.”