PLYMOUTH — This time, no one tried to stop the rebound with 6.7 seconds left to end the dream.
This time, there was no Peter Rosa donning the Superman cape and scoring a hat trick in the third period to snatch the championship from their hands.
This time, the Byron Center had its own Superman, making sure the Bulldogs didn't fall victim to another team's storybook ending yet again.
Senior forward Jackson Froisland scores a hat trick 1:10 into the third period and Byron Center defeats Trenton 6-1 in the MHSAA Division 2 championship game Saturday at U.S. Hockey Arena. He won the game and scored 4 points.
Few teams have suffered more heartbreaking defeats in the finals than Byron Center.
In 2021, the Bulldogs lost 2-1 to Brother Rice of Bloomfield Hills when Alec Hamady scored with 6.7 seconds left.
2023 Byron Center entered the third period with a 2-0 lead. It was then that Rosa cemented his legacy at Brother Rice, scoring three goals in the Warriors' 4-2 victory, with Romain Villers scoring the game-winning goal with 4:42 remaining.
Knowing there would be no soul-crushing drama this time, the players on the Byron Center bench began celebrating with 1:43 left in the game.
“We've been thinking about it for a year,” Froisland said. “When we went into the locker room after the second period, we knew what they were going to do. I think we countered that pretty well.”
Froisland, like other players, has contributed to the development of Byron Center's co-op hockey program since its inception in 2016-2017. South Christian in Grand Rapids and Wayland also have students on the team.
With three goals and one assist against Trenton, Froisland finished his three-year career with 72 goals and 98 assists in 88 games.
Senior lineman Cade Pratt is similarly integral to the Bulldogs' success. He had two goals and two assists Saturday, extending his point streak from the final five games of last season to 35 games. He had 34 goals and 54 assists in 30 games this season.
A year ago, Pratt's goal in the first period gave Byron Center a 2-0 lead going into the third period against Brother Rice.
“Throughout the season, we touched on it here and there,” Pratt said. “When you're down 2-0, you get burned. Going into the third period of this game, it reminded me a little of that game. We knew what we had to do.”
After two near misses, the Bulldogs became the third team in the Grand Rapids area to win the MHSAA Hockey Championship. East Kentwood won Class A in 1990 and Grand Rapids Catholic Central won Division 3 in 2011.
“Normally I'm speechless after a game and I didn't have much to say to them other than how much I love them as people, as hockey players, as teammates, as brothers,” Byron Center forward Jordan said. the coach said. Steger said. “So when I mentioned that, I was watered down. After that, the postgame speech was pretty much cut short.”
After a scoreless first period, Froisland scored the first two goals of the game within the 6:29 mark of the second period.
After Trenton's Jon Medovich cut the Bulldogs' lead to 2-1 at 9:42, Pratt scored twice in 3:05, giving Byron Center a 4-1 lead and scoring three points. It's time for the second time.
This time, there will be no third period heartache.
Froisland scored a hat trick with a two-man advantage 1 minute and 10 seconds into the third, prompting the round for “Mr. Froisland.” Hockey” Cheers erupt from the Bulldogs student section. Just 1 minute and 39 seconds later, Braxton McKee extended the lead to 6-1.
“Coming into the game, everyone knew they had two legitimate Mr. Hockey winners,” Trenton coach Chad Clements said. “Either one of them deserves the award, and there are a few others, but these two in particular on the top line. They're just great hockey players.
“We tried to get a good matchup on the ice. They were playing against us. It was cat and mouse, so it was fun. They had some. They scored on the power play and that's how it all started. They're dangerous. I thought they did a good job of taking time and space in the first period. That's when the four goals were scored.''
Trenton (23-5-2), which ranks third in MHSAA history with 14 Finals wins, missed out on what would have been its first title since 2014. The Trojans have finished runner-up numerous times since winning the championship 10 years ago.
“It's special to wear this jersey,” Trenton senior captain Boston Bennett said. “This is one of the best, if not the best, hockey in the state of Michigan.”
Brady Swanson made 34 saves for Byron Center (27-2-1).
Click to see full box score.
photograph (Above) Byron Center hoisted its first Finals championship trophy Saturday after defeating Trenton in Division II. (Middle) Bulldogs' Cade Pratt (19) holds the ball while Trenton's Lucas Thormiller (21) tries to reach the puck. (Bottom) Jackson Froisland carries the puck for the Bulldogs. (Photo provided by: Hockey Weekly Action Photos. )
