Lewis Center — Thomas Worthington Ice Hockey Coach John Piehowicz beamed with enthusiasm as he reflected on his team’s success. “It feels good to get back in the win column on a long weekend. It was a complete team effort,” he said, his excitement evident.
The Cardinals took to the ice Sunday night determined to break a three-game losing streak and secure their first win of December. Facing Archbishop Alter, Thomas Worthington found themselves under pressure often, as the Knights earned two powerplay opportunities in the first period. However, junior goaltender Calvin Swiniarski stood tall in net, anchoring the Cardinals’ defense and helping them kill off both penalties. The teams headed into the first intermission locked in a scoreless battle.
Archbishop Alter maintained their offensive push through much of the second period, but Thomas Worthington’s defense held firm. Head Coach John Piehowicz credited Assistant Coach Jeff Sauerland for the team’s defensive resilience, saying, “I have to give a lot of credit to Jeff. He really took the defense under his wing, and the growth has been tremendous.”
After a display of resilience and patience, the Cardinals finally broke through late in the second period. Gunnar Kuhl found the net with a shot from the left wing, giving Thomas Worthington a 1-0 lead with less than a minute remaining. The goal sent the Cardinals into the intermission energized but focused. “We’ve blown a few leads before, so the mood shifted to locking it down,” Coach Piehowicz explained. “We really stressed defensive-first hockey, and everyone locked in on that.”
The intensity ramped up in the third period as the game turned more physical, fueling the Cardinals’ momentum. With about eight minutes left in regulation, Will Cooper delivered a perfectly placed shot, extending the lead to 2-0 and providing a crucial insurance goal. Despite a late surge by Archbishop Alter, Thomas Worthington’s defense held firm, securing a 2-0 victory to snap their losing streak.
Goaltender Calvin Swiniarski earned his second shutout of the season, showcasing his growing prowess between the pipes. Coach Piehowicz, a former goalie himself, emphasized the mental aspect of the position. “You can get the technicals down, but it really is a mental game,” Piehowicz explained. “We’ve seen Calvin make strides in his mindset. If he believes he can stop every puck, he’ll take over the game on his end.”
With their losing streak behind them, the Cardinals now shift focus to a rivalry matchup against Worthington Kilbourne, who secured a 4-3 comeback win on Sunday evening. Coach Piehowicz remains “humbly optimistic” about the challenge ahead. “I like our chances,” he said. “The team in that locker room is bought in, and you won’t find a group that works harder in practice or is more fired up this week.”
Thomas Worthington faces Worthington Kilbourne at the Chiller Ice Works on Friday at 6 PM in Worthington.
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