The Bishop Hendricken Eagles captured their third consecutive Rhode Island Division I ice hockey state championship with a 4-2 victory over La Salle Academy at the Providence Bruins' Amica Mutual Pavilion, completing a dominant season in which they lost just twice in 22 games.
Senior forward Connor Walsh led the Eagles with two goals and an assist in the championship game, while goaltender Ryan Kelley made 28 saves to preserve the victory against a La Salle team that had defeated Hendricken twice during the regular season. "This group has been special from day one," said head coach Paul Doyle, who is in his eighth season leading the program. "They work harder than any team I've coached, and they deserve everything they've earned."
The championship is the program's seventh overall and third in a row, a dynasty-level run that has produced seven Division I players who have gone on to play college hockey at programs including Boston College, Providence College, and the University of New Hampshire. Three members of this year's team have already committed to Division I programs.
La Salle, which was making its first championship game appearance in four years, gave the Eagles a genuine battle through two periods before Hendricken pulled away with two third-period goals. "We're proud of our season," said La Salle coach Brian Foley. "Hendricken is an exceptional program. We'll be back."
The victory capped a remarkable winter for Hendricken athletics, which also saw the school's wrestling team win the state championship and its swimming program finish second in the state meet.
