SYLVANIA — Perrysburg hockey came close to advancing to the regional semifinals, falling to Toledo St. John’s, 4-3, in a regional quarterfinal at Tam-O-Shanter Saturday.
Perrysburg coach Kevin Fisher could not be prouder of his team’s effort against the Titans, despite the season ending with an 18-15-1 record.
“The boys played well,” Fisher said. “They really played well. All three periods, they had their foot on the pedal, continued to forecheck and apply pressure and create scoring chances.
“Cody Schneider had a goal and two helpers (assists), Caden Seiple had one goal and one assist and Alex Wilhelm had a huge goal late. It just wasn’t enough.
“Sam Yonker was huge in net — once again he made countless big saves. But St. John’s took advantage of their opportunities. They’re a great team,” Fisher continued.
The Yellow Jackets had finished 5-7 in the Northwest Hockey Conference Red Division, good for fifth out of seven teams, but Fisher was hoping his team could get to the regional final four and two games away from a state hockey tournament experience.
“The cold reality is that every single team loses their final game of the season, except one,” Fisher said. “We had our sights on being that team, but it didn’t work out.
“We play in the toughest conference in the state and whoever comes out of our district on top will have a real solid chance of winning states.”
The biggest positive is that Schneider was voted by the NHC Red Division coaches as the Player of the Year, which includes multiple candidates from established state perennial powerhouses like Bowling Green, Toledo St. Francis, Sylvania Northview, Findlay, and Toledo St. John’s.
“Cody Schneider leaves as the most heralded player in school history,” Fisher said. Red Division Player of the Year, his second straight first team all-conference award, racking up over 100 points, 60-plus goals are just a few achievements from an unforgettable senior season.
“This graduating class had an impact on this program that’ll be felt for years,” Fisher continued. “The five seniors we say goodbye to tonight leave with their heads held high, for good reason.
“This program’s gotten bigger and stronger in each of their four years and they deserve to be proud.”
St. John’s (18-13-3) advances to take on its rival, defending state runner-up Toledo St. Francis (18-13-1), in a regional semifinal at Tam-O-Shanter next Saturday, Feb. 25, at 4 p.m.
The other semifinal will pit BG (15-16-4) against Northview (22-8-3) Friday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. at Tam-O-Shanter. The semifinal winners will clash at Tam-O-Shanter at 6 p.m. on March 3 for the right to advance to the state final four.
