The boys varsity hockey team captured a Regional title Friday night, cruising to a 4-0 victory over Anchor Bay.

Early on, South would struggle to generate scoring chances and capitalize off of Anchor Bay’s mistakes. Starting off slowly is a common theme for a team that feeds off momentum and can’t thrive without it, head coach Robert McKillop said.

“I don’t know what is it, but we just don’t like to get off the mark,” McKillop said. “For us it’s everything (playing off momentum). This team rolls. When we get rolling, we roll.”

Captain Ian Corbett ‘15 would be just the spark the boys needed to get things going. Typically known for gaining momentum with his work defensively, Corbett was able to provide two big time goals in the first half of the game, helping the Blue Devils get out to a 2-0 lead.

Deep into the second period with 6:30 remaining, Cam Mogk ‘15 would fire home a loose puck in front of the net, extending the lead even further to 3-0. With all cylinders clicking entering the final period, Andy Jakub ‘15 would continue to play lights out in net, while Mac Cimmarusti’s ‘16 goal with just over 11 minutes to play would put the final nail in the coffin.

“Not going to lie, it felt pretty awesome,” Cimmarusti said. “Scoring that goal in front of my friends and family and study body, just getting to hear all of my friends in the student section go nuts, I mean that was by far the best student section we’ve had all year. I loved every minute playing in front of them, it was just so fun. It was more fun to score in front of my friends, than actually to score itself.”

The vision and goal of making it this deep in the playoffs was always there for this team, but the possibility of it actually coming true was distant and unlikely, Corbett said.

“We’ve come really far,” Corbett said. “I never imagined us making it this far. I knew we had it in us, but it seemed like a long shot. Honestly our success comes from our chemistry on and off the ice. We all love playing with each other and we all buy in and work together to win games.”

Although a Regional title is a huge accomplishment and honor to win for the team, it’s back to business, and on to bigger and better things, McKillop said.

“What win?” McKillop said. “Did we just win? It’s over. We’re not here for a Regional title. We’re glad to move on. We’re fortunate to move on, but let’s be ready for Tuesday.”

The Blue Devils haven’t made it to the State Quarterfinals since 2012, and with one of the challenging teams thus far awaiting the boys, Romeo, they’ll need all the support they can get. Student support is vital, and can make or break a season for teams, Cimmarusti said.

“I definitely feel like the teams that have their students’ support, are the teams that win games,” Cimmarusit said. “I don’t think you can do it without the support of your friends and family. I think it brings together the community really well, and it makes you feel like you’re playing for something greater than yourself.”

The State Quarterfinal game against Romeo will be at Suburban Ice Arena at Macomb at 7:40 p.m. on Tuesday.

Video by Adam Morris ’15 | Social Media Director