COLUMBUS, OH - For the 14th time in program history, the Saint Ignatius Hockey Wildcats made it to the Frozen Four in Columbus. After a 6-2 victory in the Regional Final against Padua, it was a third consecutive trip for the Ice Cats.
The Wildcats would draw a familiar foe in the State Tournament, the Toledo St. Francis Knights. The Knights came into the State Semifinal, the number one ranked team in Ohio, with a 30-6-0 record. Moreover, they defeated the Wildcats on January 3 in a barn burner that went to overtime. The stage was set to be a game to remember at Nationwide Arena.
As the Wildcats hit the ice, they knew they were walking into the Lion's den against a formidable Knights team. Both teams had opportunities to strike first blood throughout the first period, but Wildcat goalie Dominic Filizetti and Carson Dirkmaat were phenomenal. Filizetti recorded 10 saves and Dirkmaat eight in the first period.
With 50 tics on the clock in the opening period, the Knights would strike first as Cole Porvaznik would score. The Wildcats would trail early to the first-ranked team in the state.
The Wildcats did not waver, with 12:01 left to go in the second period, senior Otto Bafus would find the back of the net on a two vs. one opportunity. The Cats would pull even with the Knights. At the 8:49 mark of the second period, the game's first penalty would be called on Nolan Ignacio for elbowing, a two-minute minor that would put the Knights on the Power Play. The Wildcats Power Play kill team would do its job and not allow a Knights score as Ignacio left the sin bin.
The Wildcats' second and final penalty came with 3:57 remaining in the second when Kyle Rucinski was called for Cross-Checking. The two-minute minor did not cost the Wildcats anything as they yet again kept the Knights off the board.
The score would remain knotted at one after the second period, with the Knights out shooting the Wildcats 23-14 through two frames.
It was sweaty palms time inside Nationwide Arena, with a trip to the State Championship on the line. Near the halfway point of the third period, sophomore Zachary Bleick would give the Cats their first lead of the State Semifinal with 8:06 left to go.
Unfortunately for the Wildcats, only three minutes came off the clock when St. Francis' Andrew Tucker tied the game at two. As time continued to pass, every shot was a hold-your-breath moment, with the next goal potentially being the game-winner.
Time would expire in regulation, and the Wildcats and Knights headed to overtime for the second time this season.
With just 27 seconds coming off the clock in overtime, First-Team All-Ohio Forward Nolan Ignacio would walk it off for the Wildcats. Ignacio took control of the puck by the blue line and sped into the Knights' zone; he would rip a five-hole shot on Dirkmaat that somehow hit the back of the net, leaving everyone in awe.
Ignacio would be mobbed by his Wildcat teammates down-ice as he sent the Wildcats to the OHSAA State Championship. Since 2016, the Wildcats have been 5-0 against Toledo St. Francis at Nationwide Arena.
The Wildcats will face Upper Arlington on Sunday, March 9, at 1 p.m. back at Nationwide Arena. The Cats are eyeing the program's ninth State Championship in program history.
This will be the third match-up between the Cats and Golden Bears. The Wildcats fell to UA on December 14, 2-1 in overtime; however, they rebounded in the GOHL Cup Championship, defeating the Bears 2-1 on January 12. Sunday will be the rubber match; UA is seeking their program's first State Title.
Gallery: (3-12-2025) Saint Ignatius vs. St. Francis (Semis)
