The Westminster Ice Hockey team is on a memorable postseason run, battling through the Founders Cup bracket with grit, late-game heroics, and clutch goaltending.
Entering the tournament as the #7 seed, the Wildcats opened play with a high-stakes play-in game against #10 Francis Howell Central and delivered a 4–2 victory to keep their season alive.
After falling behind 1–0 in the first period, Westminster responded with two goals in the second. Sophomore Archer Walker evened the score on an assist from junior Matthew Tonkikh, and sophomore Declan DeRosset followed with an unassisted goal. Howell Central tied the game late in the period, sending the teams into the third knotted at 2–2. With 4:42 remaining, Tonkikh buried the go-ahead goal off a feed from senior Whit Yeadon, and Walker sealed the win with his second goal of the night with just 51 seconds left. Junior David Creel anchored the effort in net.
The quarterfinal series brought a familiar challenge in conference rival John Burroughs, a team Westminster had tied twice during the regular season.
In Game 1, the Wildcats rallied from a two-goal deficit early in the second period. Andrew Frierdich cut the lead to one with an assist from Walker, and Westminster carried a 2–1 deficit into the third. Freshmen Elijah Rosales and Sam Skiljan combined to tie the game, and with just five seconds left, Tonkikh delivered a dramatic unassisted game-winner for a 3–2 victory. Creel again stood tall in goal.
Game 2 followed a similar script. After a scoreless first period, Walker struck just 15 seconds into the second on a Tonkikh assist. Burroughs tied the game late in the period, setting up another tense finish. With only 15 seconds remaining, Walker scored again—this time assisted by junior Nathan Charnes—to give Westminster a 2–1 win and complete the series sweep.
With momentum firmly on their side, the Wildcats now advance to the Founders Cup semifinals, where they will face #6 Wentzville Holt.
Game 1 is set for Tuesday, February 10 at 8:10 PM at Wentzville Ice Arena (Blue Rink).
