Same score, different game.
That was the assessment of Brandon hockey coach Brian Moore following the Blackhawks? 7-1 loss to eventual state champion Cranbrook-Kingswood in the Division 3 state quarterfinals March 10.
Last year, the Cranes also defeated the Blackhawks 7-1 in the state quarterfinals. However, that was the only similarity between the two games, Moore said.
‘I thought we played well when you compare last year to this year,? he said. ‘Last year, they (Cranbrook) pulled back when it was 6-0. This year, they had to play the whole game.?
This year’s regional championship was the second straight one for the Blackhawks in the program’s fourth year of existence.
The Blackhawks will be losing five seniors to graduation: forwards Phil Liquia, Brian Quarrella and Joel Pappas, and defensemen Scotty Steudle and Matt Ruppert.
However, Brandon will be returning plenty of familiar faces next season, led by forwards Mike Ross, Kyle Jackson, Mike Cybulski, and Stephen Tallman, defensemen Brendon Moquin and Chris Nuccio, and goaltender David Hughes.
Brandon is certain to return plenty of scoring punch next year. The Blackhawks? most potent line this season consisted of Pappas, Ross and Cybulski. Of those three, only Pappas will be graduating.
Cybulski started out on another line this season, but with the team at 8-4-2, Cybulski was reunited with his two linemates, and the Blackhawks went 12-1-1 the rest of the way before bowing out to Cranbrook.
The trio combined for 86 goals, with Ross scoring 37, Cybulski 29 and Pappas 20. In their two seasons when playing on the same line, Brandon was 27-7-2, with the trio scoring a total of 161 goals.
Moore said with the core of players on the team, the Blackhawks are in position to do even better next season.
‘Last year, it was a case of just being happy to be there,? he said. ‘This year, we weren’t intimidated and were competitive. Next year, we want to beat them. We’ve taken two pretty big steps in the past two seasons.?