‘This is exciting’: St. Charles prepares for state semifinal
Preparing his team for another game that qualifies as the biggest in his first season as coach, this is what Danny Greiner envisioned when he took over the St. Charles hockey program in June.
The Cardinals play Hunting Valley University School in a state semifinal at 4 p.m. Friday at Nationwide Arena. It’s the program’s first game at state since 2014, when St. Charles lost to Sylvania Northview 3-1 in a semifinal.
With a win, the Cardinals will play Cleveland St. Ignatius or Toledo St. Francis for the championship at 1 p.m. Sunday at Nationwide. St. Ignatius and St. Francis meet in the first semifinal at 1 p.m. Friday.
“As a coach, I’m excited,” Grenier said. “This is where we thought we could be, where we wanted to be. I’m happy that we’re still on our journey.”
In its most recent big game, St. Charles (24-11-3-1) locked up its trip to state by beating 2023 champion Olentangy Liberty 4-2 in the regional final Saturday at Ohiohealth Ice Haus. Liberty won central Ohio’s first OHSAA hockey title last season, defeating University School 6-2.
“We can’t be happy with just winning the regional,” Grenier said. “We have to come ready to play Friday.”
The bid for the program’s first state championship also is special for Greiner because he attended St. Charles as a freshman and sophomore and played for the Cardinals. He transferred to Watterson for his junior year and graduated in 2007.
“This is exciting,” Grenier said. “It’s why I took the job. I wanted to come back to St. Charles and be with the program I spent a couple of years with. I love the program, love the school. I took the job for moments like this. I couldn’t be prouder of the boys and the program and all the support I’ve received from the school.”
University School (35-3) is making its 17th state appearance. It won titles in 2009 and 2003.
The teams met Jan. 12 at the Icehaus, with the Preppers winning 3-1.
The play of St. Charles’ goaltending tandem – junior Bren Gronbach and sophomore Dylan Fansler split time – has helped propel the team to the state tournament.
Fansler received the start against Liberty and turned away 38 shots. He is 13-4-1 with a 1.86 goals-against average and .930 save percentage. Gronbach is 9-7-2 with a 2.40 goals-against average and .918 save percentage.
Two senior forwards lead the Cardinals in scoring. Nicholas Scharfenberger has 28 goals and 40 assists, and Sean Moore has 33 goals and 25 assists.
Sophomore defenseman Tommy Scharfenberger has five goals and 32 assists.