Cinco Ranch Ice Cougars Face Seven Lakes Spartans to Win Third at State
The Cinco Ranch Ice Cougars hockey team recently skated home with a third-place trophy in the Texas Cup State Championship Silver Division, held in Dallas. The win topped off another stellar season for this high school hockey team. The Ice Cougars ended their regular season in first place in the Interscholastic Hockey League with some impressive statistics, including 19 wins, two losses, and one tie. The Ice Cougars took on hockey teams from Houston, Dallas, and Austin at the state championship.
The deciding game that led to the team’s third-place finish, actually took place against hometown rival the Seven Lakes Spartans, who entered the competition as the fifth seed. Despite an early morning time slot, the game was exciting and nerve-wracking for all in attendance. After two periods of intense offensive play and skillful goaltending, the game was tied up 3-3 entering the third period.
Regular play ended with no more goals from either team, sending the game into overtime. After only 38 seconds of overtime play, freshman James DiStefano connected on a pass from sophomore Ryan James to score the game winning goal for the Ice Cougars.
Members of the Ice Cougars Texas State Cup team include: Captains and seniors Julien Demers, Wayne Hubley (ISHL All-Time Assist Leader); assistant captains, senior Taylor Engel and junior Robert Fernandes; seniors Cody Heiser and John Schroeder; junior Luke Hamilton; sophomores Nick Bourdoumis, Mason Corliss, Tyler Fenske, Michael Hertlein, Ryan James, Nick Manning, Erik Moses, and Brian Spengler; and freshmen James DiStefano, Michael Fernandes, and Collin Williams.
Ice Cougar team members unable to attend the tournament included juniors Dylan Carpenter, Nolan Hurd, and Connor Sharrah; sophomore Connor Hiller; and freshman Cam Vahlkamp. The team would like to extend their gratitude to their head coach Artie Jean and assistant coaches James Miller and Kavon Kootahi, as well as team manager Rose Fernandes and team representative Susan Manning for all of their hard work, time, and dedication. Special thanks to Laury Good, Cinco Ranch High School teacher advisor, for her ongoing support and assistance of the team.
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