In last week’s column I mentioned that I have covered too many championship games to truly chose a favorite or best. This past weekend’s hockey championships may have shattered those feelings.

The Bishop Hendricken Hawks came back in the third period and then eventually went on to win in triple overtime to clinch their fifth straight state title. In the earlier game on Sunday, the East Greenwich-Toll Gate co-op took the Division II championship when it beat Portsmouth in overtime in what was a back-and-forth contest from the opening two minutes on.

Each of these games were epic and I have to say, that was probably the best day of hockey playoffs that I have ever covered. Not sure how I’d stack each of the two games individually, but in terms of one overall day, I would put that at the very top of the list when thinking about the 10 years I have been in this field full time. 

The two games were similar in that they required extra periods, but the way they got there was totally different.

In the first game, Portsmouth took the lead in the opening period, EG/TG responded, Portsmouth answered back, and it wound up being a 3-3 score heading into overtime. The Avengers wasted little time getting the victory as they scored the game winner less than a minute into the extra period.

The first time the teams faced each other, EG/TG took the 7-4 win. These two teams were offensive juggernauts and the championship played out exactly as we expected. Fast paced, high scoring offense. It was a thriller from start to finish.

In the later game, the Hawks fell behind 1-0 early and were down 2-0 with less than seven minutes remaining in regulation. The Prout defense stood on its head up until that point and a shutout was on the table late in the third period.

We saw the power of momentum unfold as the Hawks rattled off two goals to force overtime. From there, you saw fatigue set in as the pace slowed down, legs got heavy, shots weren’t as crisp. It took until the third overtime for something to break, and fortunately for the Hawks, they got the opening and Frank Tillinghast delivered. 

A wild shootout and then a third period comeback, followed by overtime, to determine two championships. It was an unbelievable day to be a sports fan.

In terms of big picture stuff, it was EG/TG’s first title as a co-op and it was Toll Gate’s first hockey championship since 2005, it came almost 20 years to the day.

The Titans had been bounced around a bit the past few years. They spent time with Pilgrim then moved to East Greenwich. They’ve spent time in Division I and Division II.

It looks like they’ve found a home in East Greenwich and in DII. I dislike realignments and this annual game of co-op musical chairs. Once a partnership works, leave it alone. I have been very vocal about my frustrations with Toll Gate and Pilgrim parting ways two years ago.

EG/TG will be the defending champs next season. Let them stay together and continue to build. Division II is very competitive and these kids have a special group, clearly.

For Hendricken, the streak continues.

Despite losing a big-time core led by MVP Griffin Crain, this year’s group defended the title seamlessly with Cullen and Mason Crain, Tillinghast, Aiden Craft and goalie Avery Picchione. This year’s success is a testament to the depth of this group that continues to churn out championship players on an annual basis.

As Prout was closing in on the win, my internal take was that the Hawks were just a little too young and would be back on top next winter. That was washed away in the blink of an eye, and now the rest of Division I will have to deal with what will be largely the same core next season as well.

Hats off to Prout, who finished the regular season with the top seed and was neck and neck with Hendricken. I have a feeling that these two will be right back in the championship game next March.

Congrats to each team and thanks for a day to remember.

I need to give one final shoutout before I sign off.

At the conclusion of each of these games, especially the DI final, the teams and fans were in a frenzy. The players had to be wrangled for the awards ceremony, fans had to be pulled off the glass and kept in their seats, the ice had to be cleared in a hurry while the media sought its postgame interviews. That’s the simple description, but it got pretty chaotic.

The Rhode Island Interscholastic League representatives, led by Tom Marcello, did an excellent job of letting the fans have fun while maintaining order. It was clear that by the end of the night that the security and RIIL staff were worn out after three straight games, but they maintained a level of professionalism that was quite impressive, to be honest, considering the scene that played out. 

It’s not easy containing that many excited people in one building, but Marcello and his staff deserve credit for what in reality, is a thankless job at times. Job well done.