Approaching their final regular season game the Tigers Ice Hockey team has just one more team standing between them and an undefeated regular season.
Outscoring opponents 146-14, the Tigers clinched the MVCHA 2A North regular season title, the first since the 2012-2013 season, on Jan. 13 after their win against Triad on senior night with three games left to play in the season.
“It is just a small step for this season’s team to reach our bigger goal which is the entire MVCHA league championship,” junior forward Tyler Hinterser said.
The Tigers are looking to win their fourth consecutive MVCHA championship.
“Winning the fourth straight MVCHA championship would mean that we are breaking a record that we previously set,” senior captain Justin Warta said.
“My favorite part of the season is the playoffs, that’s when we get the most fans and can show them what we do on a daily basis and hope they enjoy,” Hinterser said. “It would mean a lot to our seniors and coaches most of all to win the championship. It is nice to have the chance to win the fourth straight championship and we’ll take advantage of that.”
Hinterser and sophomore forward Tyler Schaeffer combine to make the deadliest line in the league registering a combined 76 goals. Schaeffer has scored 41 goals this season and is the top goal scorer in the league followed by Hinterser with 35. Schaeffer is just the third player in Tiger history to score 40 goals in one season and Hinterser has the chance to become the fourth.
On defense the Tigers have a solid line as well. Warta, seniors Cody Farmer and Brendan Raftery have allowed just 14 goals this season.
In the net the Tigers have the unstoppable duo of seniors Brady Griffin (9-0) and Justin Nosser (8-0). Letting in just 14 goals in 17 games this season, the two prove to be a nightmare for any oncoming opponent.
“It helps a lot that we have the best forwards, defense and goalies in the league,” Warta said.
The Tigers will send nine players to the MVCHA All-Star game on Feb. 2. Hinterser, Warta, Brendan Raftery and Shaun Raftery will all make their second appearance while Schaeffer, seniors Cole Krebs, Christian Trevino, Farmer and Nosser will all be making their first.
“Making the all-star team is definitely a highlight of my season,” Schaeffer said.
Though the Tigers are still one win away from a perfect regular season the team is ready for whoever stands between them and their fourth straight and their success over the past 15 games shows just that.
“We owe our success to our coaches and the leadership of our seniors,” Hinterser said. “Everyone contributes everything they have to give for our team.”
“Every player on our team has a specific role,” Warta said. “Players knowing their role and actually filling that role has brought us much success.”