The historic season continues for Duchesne Hockey after a 13-3 drubbing of conference foe Fort Zumwalt North on Monday Night, Dec. 30.  While their current record of 12-0-3 carries historic significance, it's what looms on the horizon that the players are most looking forward to - a rematch with their biggest rival, St. Dominic.

November 27 was a great evening for hockey in their first matchup.  At that point in the season, both teams were undefeated and the outdoor venue at Centene Ice Arena could not have been a better location for a classic matchup.  This was the setting for the second annual Catholic Cup - a special, annual event set up between the two schools to emphasize their ongoing rivalry in hockey.  While it does not carry any significance in the standing of Mid-States Hockey, it's intent is to create a fun rivalry with a traveling trophy for bragging rights each year.

In the 2023-24 season, St. Dominic took the cup decisively as they routed Duchesne in their first ever regular season meeting.  They went on that season to win the St. Charles Division and represented the division in the Wickenheiser Cup Playoffs.  This year, however, is a different year.  While St. Dominic continues to roster a quality team, it is Duchesne who improved immensely in the off season.

The meeting between the teams was historic with both teams holding leads at different points during the game.  However, the final score ended as a draw with both teams scoring 3 goals.  Mid-States rules does not allow games to go into overtime or shootout in the regular season.  So, the score was officially a tie.

However, it was a special night and the Catholic Cup was at stake.  In a very rare circumstance, Mid-States and the game referees agreed to allow both teams to continue with a shootout to determine the winner of the Cathlolic Cup.  Keep in mind, this shootout would not affect the official tie status of the game.  The shootout would only be for fun and for bragging rights.  When this was announced to the large crowd of fans in the outdoor arena, everyone erupted in cheer as this was about to be the perfect ending to a great game.

However, this is not how the game ended.  Despite the players and fans all getting set for a fun and exciting conclusion, one person adamantly did not want this - the Head Coach for St. Dominic.  For a reason that has never been disclosed, the St. Dom Head Coach strenuously objected to the shootout taking place.  The Duchesne coaches were 100% onboard as were the players for both teams.  Because of the objection though, a shootout never took place and the game abruptly ended.  Shortly thereafter, St. Dominic posted a celebratory photo on social media announcing their retention of the Catholic Cup stating that they retain possession of the cup since they won it the year previous and this game was a tie.

This left an obvious sour taste in the mouths of the Duchesne Hockey Team - especially since a "non-official" opportunity was offered to the teams that would not have affected their official standings in Mid-States Hockey in any way.  St. Dominic retained the Catholic Cup by simply denying any opportunity for the two teams to square up in a shootout.

This brings us to the upcoming rematch on Saturday Night, Dec. 4 at the St. Peter's RecPlex.  While the Catholic Cup may not be at stake in this game, bragging rights certainly are.  The players on Duchesne's roster are ready and excited for the matchup and it should be a great contest between two very good teams.

The last thing that is needed is YOU!!  Despite St. Dominic's student enrollment of over 1100 versus Duchesne's of 250, the student population at the Nov. 27 game was decisively in favor of Duchesne - and this in light of the fact that St. Dom was giving away a big screen TV to a student just for coming to that one single game.  That game proved that Duchesne has much more school pride when it comes to marquee matchups.  We need to prove it one more time, on Saturday Night at the RecPlex.  Game time is 8:00pm.  If you can make it, please come to the game - the team will appreciate it in more way than you can imagine.  It has been a great year for hockey at Duchesne - come and join us for a great rivalry game.  See you there!