Time and time again on Thursday night, Glenbrook North tested Jack Junge. The answer was the same nearly every time.
No.
Junge, the New Trier Green goalie, stopped 28 shots and recorded a shutout for most of the game, leading the Trevians to a state championship over their Scholastic League rivals 2-1 at the United Center. The win marks the second consecutive title for New Trier Green and the 12th overall in program history.
“It was a team effort, everyone from our first line to our fourth line to our defense. It was absolutely incredible,” Junge said. “I saw the puck really well, the ice is so perfect out there so it’s really easy to see the action.”
Junge was especially impressive late in the game, as the Spartans increased their attack. He made 13 of his saves in the final period, allowing few rebounds and second-chance opportunities for Glenbrook North.
The top-seeded Trevians (40-9-1), who came back from a two-goal deficit to top Providence in the semifinals, didn’t want to overcome that again. Coach Bob Melton stressed scoring early, and forward Brent Segvich delivered, grabbing a rebound and flicking it into the Spartans net with 6:04 remaining in the first period.
Kevin Marren added an insurance goal in the third, redirecting a Jason Kuker blast to give New Trier a 2-0 lead. Kuker set up just inside the blue line and fired one at the net, allowing Marren to slip through the defense and deflect the puck into the net.
Both goals came with Trevians parked in front of the net, another point Melton stressed, blocking the field of vision for Glenbrook North goalie Nathan Berger (25 saves).
“It was so important for us to score first,” Segvich said. “Playoff hockey is all about getting screens and scoring dirty goals.”
The Spartans (61-14-1) finally scored with 43 seconds remaining in the game after pulling Berger for the extra attacker. Forward John McNally rebounded his own shot, slapping the puck out of the air after Junge deflected it up.
It was too late, however, and for the second season in a row, Glenbrook North finishes second in the stats after losing to the conference foes.
“We didn’t get enough pucks through and when we had chances from the point, we missed,” Glenbrook North coach Evan Poulakidas said. “[Junge] is just real good.”
