Findlay vs Northview

[pdt1081]

Features of matchup of coaches with ties to BGSU. Northview's head coach is none other than former player Mike Jones. While former Assistant Coach Dan St. Jean is the head coach at Findlay.

Sidelines: Findlay, Northview coaches connected by BGSU hockey
By MARK MONROE BLADE SPORTS WRITER

A mentor will face a former student Saturday in the district hockey final.

Findlay coach Dan St. Jean and his Trojans (21-8-2) will take on Northview coach Mike Jones and the Wildcats (19-8-3) at 7 p.m. at Tam O'Shanter.

St. Jean was an assistant coach at Bowling Green State University when Jones was a defenseman for the Falcons (1996-2000).

"I have to face my good buddy that I coached at Bowling Green," St. Jean said. "I'm sure he'll have his team well prepared."

Findlay freshman Matt Davis scored two goals and senior Greg Toupalik netted the game-winner in overtime to cap a stunning upset Monday of No. 1-ranked St. Francis de Sales. The Trojans, ranked No. 14 in the final state coaches poll, defeated the top-rated Knights 3-2 in the district semifinal.

"Mike sent me a text before the game saying good luck," St. Jean said. "He said, 'We'll see you on Saturday.' I don't know if he is so sure about that now."

Northview defeated St. John's Jesuit 4-3 Saturday to advance out of the other semifinal. It was the third time the Wildcats defeated the Titans this season. Senior Mark Hall scored the game-winner for Northview.

"We have to play another really good team again," St. Jean said. "They have size, speed and good shooters."

St. Francis had defeated the Trojans twice in the regular season. The Knights also won their first Northwest Hockey Conference Red Division title since 1999.

"On paper our team looked solid," St. Francis coach Brian Kinsella said. "But a paper team doesn't win hockey games. You have to deliver on the ice. Now we have to sit back and watch instead of playing."

Northview has a chance to reach the state final four for the first time since 2006 when it finished runner-up.

Findlay advanced to the district final for the first time since 2007. The Trojans last reached the state semis in 2002.

"I have a good feeling about this whole tournament right now," St. Jean said. "We just need to stay under control and believe in ourselves."

[Falcon Fanatic]

So, pdt, who are you rooting for?

[pdt1081]

So, pdt, who are you rooting for?

Don't have a dog in the fight.

[Falcon Fanatic]

I have to go with Mike!!! Love to see alumni players that are now coaching!!!

[MACMAN]

to read my predictions on the state as a whole visit http://cathouseproductions.blogspot.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

to see play off highlight video of this Jones coached team
go here to watch Bobcats vs. Northview
http://gallery.me.com/jdhdale/100667" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
and for the St. johns Titans Northview game visit
http://www.me.com/gallery/#100670" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Play close attention to goals 2 and 5. These about the sweetest goals you will ever see anywhere.

ps with a slower connection you will likely want to give them a second to load.

MAybe in the near future BGSU could host regional playoffs, that would be nice, and or get the state final rotating around the state.

[Altoid_storm]

Go Northview!!!!

since I'm a graduate

[MACMAN]

As I kind of thought, Findlay expended everything they had against St. Francis and even though they came out strong, they just could not match all 4 NV lines, which just, rolled, and rolled, and rolled, and scored all night. 7-1 was the final. NV is off to the state semi final and will face Doublin Coffman saturday at 1pm in Nation Wide Arena.
here is a line to NV Youtbue video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX3MII0EVyA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[flash=]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX3MII0EVyA[/flash]

[Class of 61]

It's too bad that HS hockey changed the format of teams getting to the championship game... The Cleve. area has dominated HS Hockey for years, many times sending BOTH teams to the championship game...but now, Ignatius and U. School have to play each other to get into the game vs the winner of the Northview-Columbus game.

[MACMAN]

They did not change it really that much, its suposed to be a random draw of the 4 districts as to who plays who, for 8 years in a row, or since they started that system either brooklyn or Kent districts got to play columbus.
They need to end the auto bye deal and just give the team in each district home ice, to host 3 schools, one from each of the other districts to determine the 4 teams that advance to states.