After plowing through the playoffs with an impressive 5-1 record, the Rams varsity ice hockey team emerged as the Founder’s Cup State Champions.

The team defeated St. Mary’s High School 6-4 in the final game, capping off an incredible run. Sophomore Matthew Gould blasted home five goals, leading the Rams offensively and taking home MVP honors. Junior Charlie Jonas also scored, while sophomore defenseman Joseph Tackes added three assists.

After a tumultuous regular season, the team finally found its stride in the post season, demolishing Parkway West in both games of the quarterfinal series, by the scores of 8-4 and 4-3.

The semifinals proved much more dramatic, as the Rams were only able to vanquish the Mehlville Panthers in the fifth round of a shootout. The Rams were pushed to the brink in the third game of the series, and managed to tie the game at 1-1 on a Charlie Jonas goal with .2 seconds remaining on the clock. Once in the shootout, senior goaltender Cameron Yang stood as a wall in net, and held off the opposition until Tackes buried home the game winner.

This title marks the first time the Ladue Hockey Club has been named a state champion since the 1993-94 season. A big congratulations to all the seniors, players, and club on their state title and fantastic season.