Griffin Hayes Scores Twice, Leading York To Victory Over Lake Forest

Dukes Tally Three Goals In Three-Minute Span Of Second Period, Then Hang On For Series-Clinching Victory

York scored three goals in a near three-minute span of the second period on Wednesday night in Elmhurst to end an eight-year drought and silence Lake Forest.

The Dukes won 4-1 to capture the best-of-three Scholastic Hockey League playoff opening round series.

“We were so tight in the first period. We needed something to get us out of (our approach).

(Goalie) Levi Brown made some really critical stops early and then we finally got our legs underneath us and started playing. We were absolutely terrific in the second period,” said York head coach Evan Poulakidas

York had not won an SHL playoff series in eight years.

Griffin Hayes broke the ice at 15:06 of the second period, scoring on an assist from Luke Composono. Gavin Brown scored unassisted at 13:57, making it 2-0. The Hayes-from-Composono route delivered again, at 11:51, to give York a 3-0 lead.

“The three goals in the second were really, really nice plays,” Poulakidas said. “The 17-minutes in the second period was as good as we’ve played all year.

“Griffin was great tonight. Griffin Hayes is a player who you win championships with because he does so many little things right. He wins faceoffs; he’s always backchecking; he takes away the middle of the ice. He’s just so, so productive.”

Poulakidas added: “We probably could have had five (goals in that three-minute stretch); we had that many chances in that short of a span (of time). Those three minutes, we were spectacular.”

Lake Forest forward Michael Catalano made it 3-1 at 11:36 of the third period, assisted by Gavin Nalson.

The Dukes iced the game with :39 remining on an empty-net goal from Jack Paschen.

“Our forecheck in the second period was great. Composono was terrific; he was flying all over and really created our energy early. (Mitch) Fafinski was really good. (Jimmy) Spano and Composano were really good. Paschen in the third period really showed up,” Poulakidas said.

Next up for the Dukes: a semifinal SINCE playoff clash with No. 1-ranked Saint Viator, with games one and two set for Saturday and Sunday, February 15-16, respectively.

“I expect it to be a tough series,” said Poulakidas who, during his time as head coach at Glenbrook North, has only not been in the SHL semifinals once since the league started. “We now have the opportunity to play the best team in the state … let’s see what happens.”