By: Jonathan Szczepaniak | Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle | Published March 22, 2023
BLOOMFIELD HILLS — If the stage of a state finals hockey game wasn’t enough to bring the crowd to their feet, a rematch of the 2021 Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 State Finals game was enough momentum to create an electric environment.
As Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice and Byron Center High took the ice March 11 at the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, crowds for each team knew what was in store.
“I was telling our coaches and even in warmups, and the building wasn’t as full as it was for the other games, but you could tell there was some excitement and energy through the warmups, and I think it carried into the game,” Brother Rice coach Ken Chaput said.
The 2021 finals failed to disappoint with Brother Rice winning in epic fashion on a last-second goal, and that excitement held its value this year as Brother Rice’s four unanswered goals in the third period launched an improbable 4-2 comeback win over Byron Center.
Brother Rice senior Peter Rosa, who assisted on the game-winning goal in the 2021 state finals, buried a pair of goals in the third period to even up the score after Byron Center took a quick 2-0 lead in the first period.
Brother Rice was 0-5 on the power play and couldn’t find the back of the net offensively, missing on ample opportunities, but Rosa’s goal in the opening two minutes of the third period was the game-changer the Warriors had been waiting for.
“It was definitely a relief,” Rosa said. “I had that breakaway like five seconds into the game and didn’t score on that. I had a couple other point-blank chances earlier in the game and just couldn’t get them past him (Carson MacKenzie); he was playing a hell of a game. On that breakaway on the penalty kill, (Andrew) Marone gave me a great pass, and I saw a lane and jumped.”
Rosa added an empty-netter to make it 4-2 with less than a minute left to not only secure the win for Brother Rice, but a hat-trick in the process.
Rosa and Marone, both senior captains, shined when it mattered most this season, finishing top-two in points for the regular season and state tournament with 72 and 70, respectively.
Both were a part of the 2021 state champion team, and Chaput said Rosa and Marone knew what they needed to do after going down early in the game.
“We could see a change in him (Rosa) and Andrew Marone, and the whole team stepped up in the state tournament, but you could tell their approach and their mindset changed,” Chaput said. “They knew it was their time and their run, and they weren’t going to be denied.”
Sophomore Roman Villaire sniped one from the middle after a deke move left a Byron Center defender leaving an open shot towards the goalie, and Villaire made him pay.
Villaire, who had 11 points during the regular season, was the unlikely hero Brother Rice needed in the state tournament, tallying seven points (third on the team).
Chaput said Villaire showed his true potential during the state tournament run.
“Him and I had our moments through the year where I thought he could be bringing more,” Chaput said. “I thought he could be more locked in and more intense with his play, and at times he went away from that, and other times he showed it. The talent level he has, if you can get the other things out of him on a more consistent basis, he’s a game-changer and a difference-maker, and I think he showed it with that play.”
Just a year removed from a semifinal loss to Trenton High, the energy from the Warriors showcased a team that wasn’t going to be denied this time around, especially considering the special group of seniors Brother Rice possessed this season, including Rosa, Marone, Brayden Ingram, Luke Sacca, Luke Crawford, Nick Allor, Jack Cassidy, Jack Schwartz and Caden Ferich.
Ingram was impressive in net during the state tournament, earning a 2.42 goals against average and .917 save percentage in three games.
The 2023 senior class is a special group for Brother Rice, but a program that has a history of winning seven state championships is accustomed to veteran leaders cementing their legacy.
Marone, who played alongside his brother Ryan in the 2021 state championship, said the seniors of past years continue to leave a lasting impact on the team.
“My brother was playing with me, and it was the greatest thing ever,” Marone said. “Playing on the same line as him too, we learned a lot, and he taught me how to play a lot better than I usually can. All the other seniors too; they were great role models. They taught me how to play the game the right way.”
Although Brother Rice is set to graduate nine seniors after this season, it’s all about enjoying the moment right now.
Like senior groups have done time and time again, the 2024 Brother Rice hockey team will have a strong look to them after the mark this senior group is set to leave.
Until next season, Brother Rice will remain at the top of the Division 2 hockey rankings as the state champions.
“Winning another state championship is the greatest feeling ever,” Marone said. “Going out with a bang, there’s no better feeling.”