2022-2023 Season RecapComing off a Championship in 2021-2022 and getting off to an 8-1 start in the 2022-2023 season, the Xaverian Varsity Ice Hockey Clippers seemed to be sailing towards another CHSHL “A” Division Title, when adversity hit like an iceberg.
Injuries and other scheduling issues played a major role in a three game losing streak, which put the Clippers in a must-win situation for the fourth and final playoff spot vs St. Mary’s / St. John the Baptist. In meeting them head-to-head in the next game for the final playoff spot, adversity struck again. The team found themselves up 2-0 when the Clipper goalie suffered an injury and had to leave the game. That day, there was no backup goalie available, and a skater had to play net. In an intense nail-biter, the Clippers held off St. Mary’s / St. John’s and won the game 8-7.
Xaverian finished off the season in the fourth and final playoff spot but had an injection of youth and energy from five rising juniors from the JV team. The Clippers won the next two (best of three) series vs. the number one team, St. Francis Prep, and the number two team, Stepinac, to win the third CHSHL “A” Division Championship in the past four seasons.
Adding to the team’s accomplishments, two of the most instrumental players were young women in leadership positions as Captain and Alternate Captain for the first time in Xaverian Varsity Ice Hockey history!