Boys Hockey: Pickus nets game-winner in OT for Highland Park
By bob gosman Contributor February 21, 2012 11:04PM
Highland Park's Zach Kalter (No. 5) celebrates after scoring the first goal of the game during the Blackhawk Cup playoff game against York on Sunday. The Giants went on to win 4-3 in overtime. | Michael Jarecki ~ for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 24, 2012 8:14AM
Highland Park’s Noah Pickus already has established himself as one of the top sophomore hockey players in the state.
In the Giants’ most important game to date — against York to open the Blackhawk Cup Red Division, on Sunday — he came through in dramatic fashion, scoring an overtime goal to give the Giants a dramatic 4-3 victory. As a result, Highland Park is moving on in the playoffs.
The game was extremely physical throughout, and Pickus took an elbow to the head early in the second period.
“It looked like the WWF out there,” Giants coach Sean Freeman said. “There was some dirtiness.”
Pickus returned to the game in the third period, and on the first shift of OT, he delivered the game-winner, burying a top-shelf shot.
“From the moment it left his stick we knew the game was over,” Freeman said.
Freeman likes the edge Pickus brings to the ice.
“He takes it personal real quick and plays with a lot of pride,” Freeman said.
The Giants controlled most of the game. Highland Park, the No. 8 seed, outshot No. 25 York 32-14 through two periods and 41-20 in all. Time after time, the Giants generated prime scoring opportunities, only to be thwarted.
“Their goalie played absolutely ridiculous,” Freeman said. “He was outstanding, and gave them every opportunity to stay in and win the game.”
Freeman gave the team’s third line plenty of opportunities, and that helped the Giants keep something in the tank toward the end of the third period, and in overtime. The Giants’ depth was one of the keys to victory.
Zach Kalter had a goal and an assist for Highland Park. Pickus, Brice Saul and Andy Guo also tallied. Alex Block contributed three assists, and Koby Schneider had one helper.
Sean Viti came through with a big game on defense, something he has done quite a bit this season. Freeman said Viti’s play was key.
“We don’t win without him,” Freeman said. “He helped shut down their first line. He’s been one of our unsung heroes all season.”
Big win: In addition to being a critical victory, as it was an elimination game, the win snapped a three-game HP losing streak. All three were losses in the Metro Playdowns: 6-2 to Glenbrook South, 3-2 to Glenbrook North and 6-2 to New Trier Blue.
“At one point before the playoffs started, we were 35-5,” Freeman said. “We hadn’t lost three in a row in over a year, and we needed to get our mojo back.”
On the schedule: The Giants will play Naperville Central in the next round of the Blackhawk Cup at The Edge Ice Arena, in Bensenville, on March 6.
“We’ll work a lot on shooting drills,” Freeman said. “We’ll focus on our power play, and just sharpening and tightening up our play.”
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