Detroit Catholic Central beats Howell 4-1 in 2025 Michigan high school Division 1 state hockey final

Get live updates of the MHSAA Division 1 hockey state championship between Detroit Catholic Central and Howell.

Novi Detroit Catholic Central players celebrate a goal scored by Peter Sanin against Howell during the second period of MHSAA Division 1 hockey finals at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth on Saturday, March 8, 2025. / © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

PLYMOUTH, Mich. -- Top-seeded Detroit Catholic Central (24-3-0) beat No. 2 seed Howell Saturday 4-1 to win the MHSAA Division I state hockey championship. The only goal the Shamrocks allowed came off the stick of their own skater, and the Highlanders (20-4-2) had just a handful of quality chances.

Excluding the canceled 2020 season (COVID-19) Catholic Central has now hoisted the trophy six years in a row.

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The Shamrocks dominated throughout most of the game, as they pressured Howell everywhere on the ice. Catholic Central won the shot battle 41-10, and the Highlanders had just two in the final period.

The Shamrocks have one of the most dominant programs in the state - in any sport. Given their success and the accompanying level of skill, some players might only get one year on varsity. Catholic Central head coach Brandon Kaleniecki gave credit to the players that stuck around.

"It's a credit to them. They work hard, some guys have to wait their turn," Kaleniecki said after the game. "There's a lot to be said for some of the perseverance from the guys that started to show up down the stretch for us. We love to see that."

The first period was the closest in terms of competition, and Catholic Central forward Matthew Naida buried the only goal just after the ten minute mark. It seemed like the game would be closer than most expected, but the Shamrocks put that to bed in the second period with two more goals.

The Highlanders were able to get a puck in the net in the second, but it was essentially an own-goal, as the it went off a defenseman's stick. Kaleniecki said the Shamrocks just played their game.

"We just stayed true to who we were as a team," Kaleniecki said. "We wanted to be in the offensive zone (and) hanging on to pucks, really make them work in their own zone so they weren't able to get any quick rushes going the other way. It felt like as the game wore on, we were doing more and more of that, and you just kind of run out of gas when you have to play in your D-zone as much as we made them I think."

The third period was completely controlled by Catholic Central, and the skill gap became apparent.

Kaleniecki won two state titles as a player with the Shamrocks in 1999 and 2000. With six under his belt as a coach, one might wonder if he's gotten used to it. Kaleniecki said the players make every season unique.

"Every year it is special because it is a different group," Kaleniecki said after the game. "Different seniors, different senior leaders, and that does make it special."

Senior Catholic Central goalie Joe Bedells is one of the players with one season as a starter, but he did his job when it came time. Bedells allowed an average of 1.76 goals per game heading into the state final, and his save percentage was 90.3. He said he had to stay focused with his defense keeping shots a minimum on Saturday.

"Yes, it can be quite exhausting only getting ten shots," Bedells said after the game. "I know it sounds weird, but it's all (a) mental game for goalies, so only getting ten shots (means) you got to find a way to stay in the game."

Four out of the five players on the Division 1 All-Tournament team were in this game: Peter Sanin (F, Catholic Central), Sam Wolak (D, Catholic Central), Justin Bloink (D, Catholic Central), Joe Bedells (G, Catholic Central) and Luke Storm (F, Howell).

Bloink also won the Division 1 tournament MVP.

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Live score updates: Detroit Catholic Central vs. Howell in 2025 Michigan high school Division 1 state hockey finals

1ST PERIOD UPDATES

The first period is underway.

GOAL Catholic Central! Matthew Naida puts one in for the Shamrocks amid a scrum in front of the net. Sam Wolak and Elian Szerlip were credited with the assists. There are less than ten minutes left in the period.

With three minutes left until the first intermission, Howell is having a tough time getting into the Catholic Central zone.

END OF FIRST PERIOD: Catholic Central 1, Howell 0

The Shamrocks lead 11-4 in shots.

2ND PERIOD UPDATES

The second period is underway.

With five minutes off the clock, Catholic Central has added three shots to Howell's one.

GOAL CATHOLIC CENTRAL! Szerlip scores off his own rebounds to put the Shamrocks up 2-0 with just under 12 minutes left in the second. Costa Karadimas was credited with the assist.

GOAL HOWELL! Bryce Eskola scored an unassisted goal after the puck went off a defenders stick and into the Catholic Central net. There are less than ten minutes to go in the period as the Highlanders still trail 2-1.

GOAL CATHOLIC CENTRAL! Peter Sanin puts one in the back of the net while crossing in front of the crease to give the Shamrocks a 3-1 advantage. Tyler O'Brien and Justin Bloink assisted, and there is just under five minutes left until the second intermission.

END OF SECOND PERIOD: Catholic Central 3, Howell 1

The Shamrocks out-shot Howell 18-4 in the period and now lead 29-8 in the category for the game.

3RD PERIOD UPDATES

The third period is underway.

Seven minutes are off the clock and the lone shot of the period came from Catholic Central.

With less than ten minutes left in the game, Howell has yet to record a shot on goal in the final period. The Shamrocks have five.

With five minutes left in the game, Catholic Central leads the shot category 37-8 for the game and 8-0 in the period.

GOAL CATHOLIC CENTRAL! Ryan Dye scores an unassisted empty-net goal with 50 second left.

FINAL: Catholic Central 4, Howell 1