MVCHA champs! Highland Bulldogs hockey team defeats Alton to claim 1A crown
Just like the first two games of Highland’s Mississippi Valley Club Hockey Association Class 1A series, the difference came down to just one goal, and thankfully for the Bulldogs, they landed on the right side of the scoreboard.
HHS got goals from Tyler Griesbaum and Dylan Kreke and parlayed a strong performance in goal from freshman Abe Hawkins into an exciting 2-1 victory over Alton to capture game three of the series and claim the Class 1A championship Tuesday, March 1, at McKendree Metro Rec Plex in O’Fallon.
The win gives Highland (14-13-2) its third championship in program history. HHS also won MVCHA titles in 2001 and 2017.
“Every game was a battle and we had a lot of nice things go our way tonight, so we’re blessed,” Highland coach Joel Hawkins said. “The kids did a lot better job playing tonight.”
Kreke, Matt Miscik and Jacob Noll all tallied assists for the Bulldogs.
After a scoreless first period, Griesbaum gave HHS a 1-0 lead just a minute into the period.
“He took a shot and it wasn’t anything but a change-up and he used a screen in front by Matt Miscik (to get free),” Hawkins said.
Kreke added an insurance goal in the third period to make it 2-0.
“He (Kreke) took a shot and there were a couple of rebounds and he put it home,” Hawkins said.
Alton scored with just over five minutes left to draw within 2-1.
However, freshman Blaise Hawkins — who filled in for regular goalie Mason Hazelhorst, who was unavailable — slammed the door as he turned away 16 shots to drive HHS to the winners circle in the final moments.
“He was spectacular and he had several really tough chances towards the end of the game. He just played with confidence and played his heart out with the idea that he wanted do something (to honor) Tyler Griesbaum, Matt Miscik and these senior boys.”
Despite stopping 26 shots, Greg Fite took the loss in goal for Alton.
By far, the most special part of the night for the Bulldogs was the fan support as HHS had several hundred student fans, and recent former players such as Twin Bridges and 2020 alum Lucas Korte giving frenzied vocal support throughout the evening.
“It was a lot of fun and a lot of kids came down and there was a lot of excitement in the building. It was nice to see everybody excited about hockey and they came out and stormed the ice at the end and they really showed up, so that was helpful,” Hawkins said.
Bulldogs even series
Four days after dropping a heartbreaking 2-1 decision in the first round of the MVCHA Class 1 championship series to Alton, the Highland hockey righted the ship thanks to forward Dylan Kreke’s timely sharpshooting.
Kreke scored a goal early in the second-period goal and then added a clutch third-period goal to lift the Bulldogs to a 2-1 win to even the best of three series at 1-1 on Monday, Feb. 28.
“Dylan Kreke got them both (for us). He’s a talented boy and took some good shots last night,” Highland coach Joel Hawkins.
Kreke put the Bulldogs on top 1-0 just 6 seconds into the second period on a slick, eye-popping goal.
“One was 6 seconds in which was amazing and we’ve never scored a goal that fast in a period,” Hawkins said. “That got us going.”
Kreke scores game winner, Hazelhorst slams the door
Alton tied the game late in the second period on a fluke goal to make it 1-1. In the third period, Kreke gave the Bulldogs the final edge with his second goal of the night.
“He did a good job and took a high shot and it was probably not a good goal but their goalie let in kind of a soft goal (there),” Hawkins said.
That was plenty of help for Hazelhorst, who shut down the Redbirds down the stretch to secure the win.
This story was originally published March 2, 2022 at 9:38 AM.