FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Culver Military Varsity A hockey team won its fourth straight Class 5A state championship Saturday, beating the Columbus Icemen, 6-3. It was the 24th state title in the CMA hockey program’s history.
Junior Jonathan Irving scored two goals and assisted on another score to lead the Eagles. Senior Matt Moody provided the primary assist on each of Irving’s goals, plus added an empty net tally with 1:37 remaining to seal the victory.
Juniors Riley Tigrett and Dante Badalich (of Plymouth) scored CMA’s other two goals. Carter Radovan and Chris Neu assisted on Badalich’s second period goal.
Columbus scored the only goal in the first period. CMA took a 3-2 lead after the second period, only to see Columbus tie the game early in the third. But the Eagles closed out the game with three unanswered goals to seal the win and title.
Senior Jack Slifer was the winning goalie, stopping 24 of Columbus’ 27 shots on goal. The Eagles recorded 45 shots.
CULVER MILITARY 6, COLUMBUS 3
at Fort Wayne
FIRST PERIOD
C — Andrew Schwartz (Austin Huffer, Cameron Wiederhoeft) 0:08.
SECOND PERIOD
CMA — Riley Tigrett (Jonathan Irving) 14:00.
CMA — Dante Badalich (Carter Radovan, Chris Neu) 7:55.
C — Huffer 7:43.
CMA — Colin Dean 7:15.
THIRD PERIOD
C — Ryan Cesarski (penalty shot) 10:42.
CMA — Irving (Matt Moody) 9:54.
CMA — Irving (Moody) 3:54.
CMA — Moody (empty net) 1:37.
Saves (goalkeeper): Culver Military 24 (Jack Slifer), Columbus 39 (Braden Phelps).
