March 17--New Trier Green coach Bob Melton has rarely worried about his team's nerves heading into a boys hockey state championship game.
Melton's teams have appeared in 11 state title games and won 10 of them in his 19-year coaching career. He's almost always returned at least a few players who experienced a high level of winning and understood the Trevians' tradition.
Melton didn't have that this season. New Trier Green, the best of several Trevian club hockey teams, welcomed an entire roster of newcomers this season after graduating 20 players from last year's team. It's why returning to the state title game this season is so special for Melton.
New Trier (54-10-1) will face Providence (56-10-1) in the boys red varsity state championship at 7 p.m. Friday at the United Center. Red varsity is the highest division of hockey for players from only one high school.
Loyola (18-3-5) will play Barrington (23-3-2) in the girls state championship at 4 p.m.
"In a number of meetings from the first day, I was talking to (the players) more so than I've ever done about the tradition, about the past, about the honor to make New Trier Green, one of the top programs in the state and the country," Melton said. "It took a long time for a lot of guys to get up to speed and kind of embrace this. It's kind of come together ever since December. Ever since, we've been playing great."
New Trier's top line could be either of its first two. Michael Graham, John Huber and Louie Lybrook make one line, and Matthew Mulhern, Charlie Burton and Jack Raith comprise the other. The six players have combined for nearly 200 goals this season. Defensemen Stephan Bazianos and Dillon Munson and goalie Will Douthit have also contributed to the Trevians' success.
Providence is in search of its first state hockey title. Nick Iaciancio took over as Providence's coach seven years ago and has gradually made it one of the state's premier programs.
The Celtics had four all-state selections in junior forwards Jake Rott (58 goals, 136 points) and Jake Vennetti (52 points, 123 points), junior goalie Ryan Iaciancio (.930 save percentage) and senior defenseman Mike Altobelli. Rott was named the Amateur Hockey Association Illinois player of the year.
New Trier and Providence split four meetings this season.
"The key for us is not letting the atmosphere get to us," said Nick Iaciancio, who was AHAI's boys coach of the year. "Even though New Trier has been there, none of their kids have been there before. Just come out and relax, and it's another sheet of ice and another game. Once the puck drops, we just got to play."
In the girls game, Loyola is making its third consecutive state championship appearance. The Ramblers lost to Latin last season and New Trier in 2014. Loyola is led by senior forward Emma Wright and senior defenseman Margaret Cusick, both four-year varsity players.
"The semifinal game this year was more nervous for us just because the expectations," said Loyola coach Conor Sedam, who was AHAI's girls coach of the year. "If you make it once, everyone is excited. If you make it to the United Center twice, that's great. When you have a chance for the third year in a row, you're expected to be there. That made the last game harder."
Barrington, the top seed, is led by forward linemates Andrea Renner, who had 30 goals in conference play, and Nicole Guagliardo, who had 16 goals.
Barrington and Loyola went 1-1-1 in their three meetings this season.
Scott Powers is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
