By Jim Smith

Correspondent

Whenever a sports team is crowned the champion of a tournament, it is an exciting moment.

But when a team wins a memorial tournament in which the namesake of the event was a beloved Theodore Roosevelt teacher, community member and hockey enthusiast, the experience becomes incredibly emotional.

Such was the scene in the Kent State University Ice Arena on Sunday afternoon after the Rough Riders’ ice hockey team captured the White Division Championship of the 2024 Karynn Barlow Memorial Tournament by defeating the Kenston Bombers 6-0.

“This just means everything to us,” proclaimed Roosevelt coach Brad Edwards following the victory. “For a lot of the kids in there, they grew up seeing her when they were little kids, and she was some of the guys’ teacher.

“For the coaching staff, me and coach (Mike) Haney specifically, she was our best friend for over 30 years. The way we played this weekend and the way we played with determination and pride embodied Kent Roosevelt and the Kent City Schools and her memory.

“This tournament win means more than people will ever know.”

The Rough Riders earned the championship trophy via three victories in round-robin play prior to the championship game.

Senior captains Alex Geist and Alex Simms each scored three goals in the title game, while Roosevelt goaltender Brooke Binder earned a shutout after stopping each of the 27 shots she faced.

“She, (Binder) as of late, has really come into her own,” observed Edwards. “She is starting to play the puck, which we are asking her to do, and it’s phenomenal. She is playing really well right now.”

“Kudos and warmest regards for her (Binder). She played well today,” acknowledged Kenston coach Tom Moores.

Discussing the championship game shutout and the tournament experience, Binder offered, “It means a lot to me because it gives me a lot of confidence to go on to league play. I think it means a little bit more during this tournament and this game. It’s a good feeling.”

Offensively, Roosevelt controlled play throughout the afternoon, tallying goals in each of the three periods.

“They (Roosevelt) were skating. They had better opportunities. They were fired up and we couldn’t match their energy,” Moores said.

“Geist had his 100th (career) point on Thursday, and I think Alex (Simms) is around the 140 mark. These two guys have been tremendous over their four years,” Edwards explained.

“Those two gentlemen loved Mrs. Barlow very much and they certainly showed up to play, and I certainly think it was a lot of her doing today. I think they came out here to prove a point and they wanted to play for our ‘Sunshine,’” added Edwards.

“It was for our ‘Sunshine,’ this tournament means everything to us,” declared Geist while discussing the experience. “We get to honor somebody we love. She was a teacher, she was a friend, she was great for the community. We got to honor her, play for her and we won for her. I think she helped, honestly, she was with us this whole tournament.”

Simms added, “I had Mrs. Barlow my freshman year, she was my English teacher, and that was the year she passed away. I was really pushing really hard this weekend for her. I owe it all to my teammates that set me up for a lot of goals.”

Teammates Maxim Ucadze and Brock Catalucci each assisted on two Roosevelt goals, while Bear Webb and Geist were each credited with assists against Kenston.

BLUE LINE NOTES

• Roosevelt defeated Kenston (3-2), Bishop Waterson (6-4) and Strongsville (4-3) in round-robin play during the tournament.
• The Rough Riders return to the ice on Thursday, Jan. 2, when they host Olmsted Falls at the Kent State University Ice Arena at 7 p.m.
• Roosevelt’s overall record is 11-4 and 3-1 in Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League White South Division play.
• Follow Jim Smith on X @BlueLineNotes