The stage was set for the Blackhawk Cup Varsity Combined Championship game between Glenbard and Bartlett/Wheaton West.  That stage couldn't be any bigger than it already was except that the stage this year happened to be the home of the Chicago Blackhawks and the United Center.  After Glenbard's emotional upset win over Rockford in the semifinals, it was time to reset the focus to winning a State Championship against a BWW team that Glenbard lost to in 2 previous meetings this season.  With many of the players on BWW hold overs from Glenbard's ISHL rival Wheaton West, this game was going to be a hard fought battle. 

The first period got underway with both teams showing signs of some early nerves.  The goaltenders on each end proved to be on their games early with some key saves, to keep the game scoreless.  Glenbard would get the games first powerplay with 5:34 left in the opening period, but would be unable to cash in.  Junior Brandon Kressner had the best offensive opportunity of the first period on a drive to the net, but his shot caught the crossbar and stayed out of the net.  Glenbard held an 8-6 shot advantage heading into the 1st intermission, but nothing could find the back of the net.

Early on the 2nd period, Glenbard would find themselves shorthanded with Junior Rocco Stachowiak getting called for elbowing, but once again the Glenbard penalty killers would be up to the challenge keeping BWW off the board.  They would be tested again as 24 seconds after the penalty expired, Glenbard would find itself shorthanded again, this time on Senior Michael Pietro's boarding infraction.  But just 7 seconds into the penalty, BWW would get called for tripping to nullify their powerplay.  Glenbard would then get another shot on the powerplay and would get on the board first.  Riscossa would work the puck from behind the net and get it out front and with Stachowiak attacking the net, he would pick up the loose puck and move a backhander past the BWW goalie to give Glenbard the 1-0 lead.  Glenbard would have to kill off a late 2nd period penalty when Senior Anthony Chesrow would get called off for roughing.  Glenbard would take the 1-0 lead into the 2nd intermission knowing they were 15 minutes away from a State Championship.

The teams entered the 3rd period both knowing what was at stake as BWW was still looking for the tying goal and Glenbard was trying to hold them off.  BWW would get a powerplay opportunity with 9:59 left in the 3rd as Sophomore Kevin Gould was whistled off for interference, but once again, Glenbard's penalty killers would hold off BWW and hold onto their 1-goal lead.  That would be until the 6:14 mark, when BWW was able to sneak in behind the Glenbard defense and poke one past goalie Chris Matza to tie the game 1-1.  With all the OT games that Glenbard has played over the past 2 seasons, it would only make sense for the State Championhip game to be decided in extra time as the 3rd period ended 1-1.

The overtime period started with both teams looking to not make a mistake and neither team had many good offensive chances early on.  Glenbard goalie Chris Matza has proved to be unbeatable in OT and did have to make a stop to keep the game going.  After a couple of good offensive pressure chances, Rocco Stachowaik found the puck on his stick in the neutral zone and hit a streaking Nick Riscossa with a cross-ice pass down the right side of the ice.  Riscossa came into the BWW zone with a head of steam, and after a quick stickhandling move to the inside fired a wrist shot between the two BWW defensemen from the top of the slot.  The puck was able to sneak between the BWW goalie's pads and get across the line for the game winning goal and Glenbard's first State Championship.  Senior Mitchell Bilyk also picked up an assist on the game-winning goal and Chris Matza made 27 saves to cap off his spectacular Senior season. 

Glenbard's OT victory was the 3rd OT win during the memorable Blackhawk Cup tournament run.  The Blackhawk Cup State Championship goes along with back-to-back ISHL Cougar Cup Championships for Seniors Joe Bertane, Mitchell Bilyk, Anthony Chesrow, Lino DePinto, Chris Matza, and Michael Pietro.  Congratulations Glenbard on a tremendous season and thanks for the memories that will last a lifetime.