The Oak Park and River Forest High School boys hockey club won the Paul Hruby Cup in exciting fashion at the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, Jan. 20, defeating Fenwick 4-3 in overtime. The Huskies won the best-of-three series 2-1, rallying to win the final two games after losing the opener.
The victory clinched OPRF’s second Hruby Cup series victory, with the Friars having won the previous two years. OPRF coach Mike Murphy believed establishing identity was the key to winning the series.
“Our club has really struggled with the fact that we can’t all be scorers. We can’t be superstars and we need to fill roles, buy in, and believe in each other,” he said. “Finding this identity and playing toward our strengths are what helped us to win games two and three.”
“We have to give OPRF credit for playing a great game. They came out ready to play and we definitely did not,” said Fenwick coach Nick Fabbrini. “We were missing some important players due to injury and illness, but everyone is dealing with that at this time of the season, and we need guys to step up when that happens because it won’t be the last time.”
The Oak Park-River Forest High School boys hockey club poses with the Paul Hruby Cup in front of the OPRF Dog Pound student section after defeating Fenwick 4-3 in the deciding Game 3, January 20, at the Edge Ice Arena. (Courtesy of Jason Clary) 
Oak Park-River Forest’s Evan Kreidler celebrates a goal against Fenwick during Game 3 of the Paul Hruby Cup Series, January 20. Kreidler assisted on Oliver Puntillo’s game-winning overtime goal in the Huskies’ 4-3 Cup-clinching victory. (Courtesy of Jason Clary) 
The Oak Park-River Forest boys hockey club celebrates a goal in front of the OPRF Dog Pound student section during Game 3 of the Paul Hruby Cup Series, January 20. The Huskies won 4-3 over Fenwick in overtime to win the Cup. (Courtesy of Jason Clary) 
Oak Park-River Forest boys hockey club goaltender Henry Gillman prepares for a Fenwick shot attempt during Game 3 of the Paul Hruby Cup Series, January 20. The Huskies defeated the Friars 4-3 in overtime to win the Cup for the second time. (Courtesy of Jason Clary)
OPRF jumped out to a 2-0 lead within the first three minutes, but Fenwick responded with two goals of its own to even the score. The Huskies went back ahead, only to see the Friars tie things up again and eventually force overtime.
On the first shift of overtime, OPRF defenseman Oliver Puntillo scored the game- and series-winning goal, off assists from Evan Kreidler and Gordon Rodriguez. The victory served as a confidence boost for the Huskies, who look to have a strong regular-season finish in the Illinois West conference.
“Most every game this season has been very competitive and close,” Murphy said. “Our extremely good goaltending and defensive play have given us a reputation as a team you don’t want to face in the playoffs.”
Moreover, Murphy said his seniors, Luke Barron, Henry Gillman, Joey Kahn, Joseph Leshnock, Jack Panichelli, Ben Schmollinger, Nolan Smith, Dominic Trotta, Luca Trotta, and Griffin Wesley, have “provided excellent leadership.”
Meanwhile, Fenwick is in a bit of a downturn this season with just 17 victories in 50 games. Fabbrini notes that unfortunate circumstances have hampered the Friars.
“Honestly, it’s been a tough year,” he said. “We’ve dealt with a lot of injuries and illness to important players and have lost multiple players for the season. We haven’t played a game with our full roster since October.”
Still, he believes the Friars can have a strong finish and be a factor in both the Chicago Catholic League Kennedy Cup Playoffs and the state tournament.
“We have to get healthy first and foremost, and are hoping to get some guys back before the playoffs begin,” he said. “If we can get healthy and play the way we’re capable of, we can be a dangerous team in February and March.”
The Hruby Cup is named after legendary local hockey coach Paul Hruby.
SIDEBAR
Hruby Cup History
(Best-of-three format)
2021-22: OPRF 2, Fenwick 0
2022-23: Fenwick 2, OPRF 1
2023-24: Fenwick 2, OPRF 0
2024-25: OPRF 2, Fenwick 1
2024-25 Results
Game 1: 10/26/24 at Allstate Arena – Fenwick 3, OPRF 2
Game 2: 11/27/24 at Fifth Third Arena – OPRF 1, Fenwick 0
Game 3: 1/20/25 at The Edge – OPRF 4, Fenwick 3 (OT)