The Lafayette Lancer’s loss in the first game of their playoff series against the Oakville Tigers meant a do-or-die game two. But, despite keeping their lead at 2-1 for most of the second period, the Tigers would score two unanswered goals in the third, ending the Lancer’s season with a 3-2 defeat.
Lafayette Hockey finished third in the Suburban Division with a winning regular season record of 13-5-1.
The team was mostly dominant against arch rival Eureka, stomping the Wildcats 7-1 and 5-3 in a doubleheader, but losing the Battle of 109 game. Against other district rivals Marquette and Rockwood Summit however, the Lancers were not so successful, being defeated by the Mustangs 5-1 and falling in both games against Rockwood Summit.
Despite their losses to rivals, the Lancers had plenty of positive highlights throughout the regular season.
“Winning on senior night was my favorite moment,” Senior forward Mac Freeman said.
Freeman scored two of the six Lancer goals in the 6-3 victory against Lindbergh.
The Lafayette Hockey Team also traveled to Edwardsville, Illinois to play the Edwardsville Tigers.
“It was the first time we beat them on their ice,” senior forward Alem Garibovic said, “It was a fun game, and it was a charity event for Hockey Fights Cancer, so we all made a sign for who we are fighting for. I personally put my great grandma on my sign who had battled cancer a few times.”
The Lancer’s third place finish in the Suburban division meant they were the fourth seed in the Wickenheiser Cup. They played their first playoff series against the Oakville Tigers on Feb. 18 and 19.
The Lancers faced the Tigers twice earlier in the regular season, including an electric five goal comeback to end the game in a 6-6 tie, the Lancer’s only tie of the season.
The first game of the series was on Feb. 18 and held at the Affton Ice Rink.
A scoreless first period was interrupted by Oakville scoring the first goal of the game with 5:13 left.
The Tigers quickly scored a second goal early in the second period, making the score 2-0 with 12:54 remaining. Neither team would score a goal for the rest of the period.
Senior team captain Matt Ridgeway would score the Lancer’s only goal of the game with 1:31 left in the third period, and the Oakville Tigers would defeat the Lancers 2-1.
The second game of the series was on Feb. 19 and took place at the Maryville University Hockey Center.
Similarly to the first game, the first period remained scoreless until Oakville scored the first goal of the game with 5:33 left.
Lancer forward Lucas Ross quickly responded with an unassisted goal to tie the game 1-1 with 4:45 left in the first period.
Neither team scored again until senior forward Alem Garibovic scored the Lancer’s second goal of the night, putting Lafayette in the lead 2-1 with 2:57 left in the second period.
The Lancers take the lead! Score is now 2-1 with 2:57 in the second period. pic.twitter.com/3rDJ4bRzhK
— The Lancer Feed (@thelancerfeed) February 20, 2025
It wasn’t until the third period that Oakville would strike again, tying the game 2-2 with 12:50 left in the game.
The Tigers would once again score with 4:47 remaining, and the Lancers would fail to respond in time, falling 3-2 to Oakville and ending Lafayette’s season.
The Oakville Tigers strike first pic.twitter.com/8cWkkrGNmx
— The Lancer Feed (@thelancerfeed) February 20, 2025
Lafayette falls to the Oakville 3–2 to end the Lancer’s season pic.twitter.com/LEnjx96lmi
— The Lancer Feed (@thelancerfeed) February 20, 2025
