Just two weeks after the disappointing loss to Regis in the 5A State Championship Game, the Valor "Screaming Eagles" Tier 1 team reset their sights on competing in the USA Hockey High School Tier 1 National Championships. This year's National Championships would be held just outside of Philadelphia in Wester Chester, PA.
The Screaming Eagles Tier 1 roster was identical to the Varsity team's roster from the CHSAA season. The only difference was a slight variation on the team's name - a CHSAA requirement. The Screaming Eagles opportunity to compete in this prestigious national event was earned by winning the championship of the fall season's Colorado Prep Hockey League (CPHL).
Game 1
Valor was one of four teams placed into the "Olympic Division" of the Tier 1 Tournament along with Greater Latrobe HS (PA), Edwardsville Prep (MO) and Northwest Prep (TX).
Valor's first opponent in the preliminary round, was Greater Latrobe HS (PA). If the first game of a tournament is a good indicator of how competitive a team will be, Valor's "opening night" performance certainly didn't indicate anything very hopeful.
The two week layoff between games had a major impact as the Screaming Eagles struggled mightily with their timing, positional play and discipline throughout the game. Valor kept the score close through the first two periods trailing only 2-1 with junior Ronan Hirschfield getting Valor's lone marker.
Just :45 seconds into the third period, Greater Latrobe clicked on a power play to increase their lead to 3-1; a deficit that the Screaming Eagles would not be able to overcome. Greater Latrobe scored on two more occasions before senior AJ Harris scored for Valor on a power play with under a minute left. Final score was Greater Latrobe 5 - Valor 2.
If Valor had any hope of advancing into the Medal Round of the National Tournament, they would have to win their next two games.
Game 2
Less than twenty-four hours later, the Screaming Eagles were matched up against Edwardsville Prep (MO). Any lessons learned from their previous outing were put into good use as Valor came out flying and rolled to a big 8-2 win over the Tigers.
Senior Camden Gunnersen got the team started as he blasted in the first goal of the game. Edwardsville tied the game before sophomore Maddux Charles scored to give Valor a 2-1 lead. Before the period ended, Edwardsville knotted the game at 2-2.
The Screaming Eagles scored four unanswered goals in the second period to take a commanding 6-2 lead. Scoring for Valor were seniors MJ Ladwig and Cole Talus along with juniors Ronan Hirschfield and Eddie Chen.
Edwardsville made a hard push early in the third period but senior goaltender Trudeaux Coffey was impregnable as he stopped all 13 of the Tigers attempts. Senior Carter Charles scored twice to complete Valor's scoring in their dominant 8-2 victory.
Game 3
Next up for Valor was Northwest Prep (TX) who had a perfect 2-0 record. This would be the final Division game of the preliminary round and would determine which two teams in the Olympic Division would advance into the Playoff Round of the National Tournament.
The Screaming Eagles started strong scoring twice in the first period on goals by junior Elijah Fischer and senior Colton Campbell to take a 2-0 lead.
Both teams were held scoreless in the second period as Valor's senior goaltender Cooper Robinson was outstanding making 13 saves to keep Northwest off the board.
Late in the third period with Valor clinging to a 2-0 lead, Northwest pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker. Junior Drew Jenkins grabbed a loose puck in the neutral zone and scored into Northwest's empty net to give Valor a 3-0 lead and the well-earned win.
With their victory, Valor improved their Division record to 2-1, qualifying them for the Medal Round of the National Tournament.
Game 4
On Saturday morning in their Quarterfinal Round game, the Screaming Eagles were matched up against Central Cathedral HS (CA). This would be the first of two games that Valor would have to win on Saturday in order to advance to Sunday's championship game.
Once again the Screaming Eagles started strong scoring twice in the first period and another in the second to take a commanding 3-0 lead after two periods. Central Cathedral scored a shorthanded goal in the third period to reduce Valor's lead to 3-1 but the Screaming Eagles responded with two goals from senior Carter Charles and junior Ronan Hirschfield for a convincing 6-1 win.
The boys had little time to celebrate as their between-game schedule only allowed for a quick post-game meal at their hotel followed by a short hour of rest before having to travel back to the arena for their semifinal matchup.
Game 5
In Saturday afternoon's Semifinal game, Valor faced top-seeded North Broward Prep (FLA).
As was the case in the previous three games, the Screaming Eagles started out well by scoring first to take a 1-0 lead on a goal by senior Brock Benson.
A few minutes into second period, Valor took a 2-0 lead on a goal by junior Drew Jenkins.
Just when it seemed that Valor had control of the game, North Broward "flipped the script" on Valor and began to play with more urgency while taking advantage of some of Valors very careless plays with the puck. North Broward finally scored with under a minute left in the second period to reduce Valor's lead to 2-1.
Throughout the final period of play, North Broward pushed hard for the game-tying goal but senior netminder Cooper Robinson "slammed the door shut" turning aside every attempt that North Broward had.
As the final buzzer sounded, the Screaming Eagles breathed a sigh of relief with their 2-1 win. Although heavily fatigued by having to play two games in less than ten hours, the boys were exhilarated at the prospect of playing in Sunday morning's National Championship game.
Game 6 - The Championship
The National Championship game turned out to be exactly what the final game of a National Tournament should be; two very talented and proud teams playing hard and fast with end-to-end action, tremendous saves, hard physical battles and wonderfully creative plays in a contest full of tension and drama. Valor's opponent would be Brookings Prep (SD) who had a perfect 5-0 record while dominating many of their opponents.
The Screaming Eagles got on the scoreboard first on a goal by junior Ronan Hirschfield. Later in the period, Brookings responded with a power play goal to tie the game at 1-1.
Both teams were held scoreless in the second period.
Brookings scored another power play goal early in the third period to take a 2-1 lead. With less than three minutes remaining in the third period, Valor sophomore Maddux Charles tied the game at 2-2 off a slick pass from older brother Carter Charles.
Senior goaltender Cooper Robinson made a couple of great saves in the late stages of the third period to keep the score knotted at 2-2.
As the horn sounded to end regulation play, both teams retreated to their benches knowing that the National Championship would be decided in sudden-death overtime!
As first overtime period got underway, Valor shifted their game into a higher gear that had their opponents on their heels until the big moment finally arrived.
With under six minutes to go in the first overtime and the Screaming Eagles holding an 11-2 shot advantage, junior Ronan Hirschfield entered Brooking's end zone near the Valor bench side of the ice. Hirschfield was immediately met with pressure from a Brooking's defender. Before being hit, Ronan chipped the puck forward to sophomore Maddux Charles who was skating into an offensive support position. Maddux collected Ronan's pass and immediately turned towards the middle of the ice where he spotted his brother, senior Carter Charles streaking to the net on the opposite side of the ice. Maddux made a great pass to his brother at the "back door" and Carter made no mistake in redirecting the puck into the net for the game-winner at 5:44 of overtime.
Bedlam erupted on the ice and in the stands as the Valor players and their families celebrated their National Championship.
Throughout the National Tournament, Valor's "Two Headed Monster", senior goaltenders Cooper Robinson and Trudeaux Coffey, were the heroes as they consistently frustrated opposing shooters with one great save after another. Coffey finished the tournament with a 1.50 goals against average and a .941 save percentage. Robinson's numbers were similar as he finished with a 1.90 goals against average and a .932 save percentage.
During Valor's six National Tournament games, sophomore Maddux Charles led the team in scoring with 3 goals and 8 assists for 11 points followed closely by his brother, senior Carter Charles, who tallied 6 goals and 3 assists for 9 points.
The story of how Valor won the High School National Championship will be remembered for how they accomplished this amazing feat; the struggle they faced early on and then continuously learning and improving over their remaining five games. It will be great example for future teams about perseverance and belief in each other and the team.
