Joseph Coghlin, James Flanigan lead defending champion Green Bay Notre Dame back to state hockey
GREEN BAY – Mike Szkodzinski was one of the best goaltenders in St. Norbert College hockey history during his two-year career from 1998-2000.
When he stepped down as the coach at Lawrence University in 2022, he had the most wins in program history.
The man has earned some lofty credentials during his life in hockey.
But there is nothing quite like having to be the guy who replaces the guy, which is the situation Szkodzinski found himself in when he was hired as the boys coach at Green Bay Notre Dame before this season.
Not only did he have to replace longtime coach Cory McCracken and the more than 300 wins he produced, but he had to take over a team that just completed one of the best seasons in state history after going 28-0 and winning the WIAA Division 1 state championship last March.
Pressure, anyone?
“I think I’ve been very fortunate to be in a number of situations where I can rely on those situations to help me through anything that happens here,” Szkodzinski said. “Yes, there is pressure. At the same time, I feel very equipped. I’m confident in my ability to adjust to situations.
“It’s been a challenge this year, but at the same time, we have very driven young men who know what it takes. That makes it a lot easier.”
The Tritons haven’t had the same dominating campaign as last season, but they find themselves back on the big stage after beating Bay Port 2-0 in a sectional championship and avenging their two losses to the Pirates during the regular season.
Notre Dame (17-8-1) earned the No. 2 seed for the state tournament and will play No. 3 Madison Edgewood (24-3) in a semifinal at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Bob Suter’s Capitol Ice Arena in Middleton.
The Tritons were the darlings of state in 2023, completing their perfect season with an 8-2 win over Verona in the title game and tying the record for most goals scored in a championship since the tournament began in 1971.
Most of the players at the center of all the dominance in that game are no longer on the team.
Hunter Bill and Michael McIntee, who combined for one goal and five assists, graduated.
Drew Schock, who had one goal and two assists, left after one season with the Tritons to play for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program.
Sam Kappell, who had a hat trick and two assists, was selected by the Madison Capitols with the first overall pick in Phase I of the United States Hockey League draft.
Notre Dame still had plenty of talent returning, but that’s a lot of firepower to lose in one offseason.
“More so in the locker room is the challenge,” Szkodzinski said. “Making sure that the guys continue to believe in each other. On the ice, we were able to put people in places and give them new opportunities, which is exciting.
“Coach (Sil) Mirao, our assistant coach, has done a phenomenal job of helping to keep the guys on track. To help them understand that, yeah, we might have lost some great teammates, but at the same time, you are very talented people as well.”
Szkodzinski didn’t attempt a huge change in the offensive and defensive systems compared to what McCracken did, only making some adjustments at certain points when needed during the season. At the same time, he figured McCracken did such a good job, why fix what wasn’t broken?
Mirao and fellow assistant Jim Guinn helped with the transition and allowed Szkodzinski to focus on building relationships and trust with players.
Noter Dame dealt with injuries for much of 2023-24 and never had a particularly dominant stretch, only one time winning three straight games until its state run at the end of the season.
The staff knew it would take time for players who earned bigger opportunities to grasp everything and contribute.
As the season progressed, the group gradually has done it. The trust Szkodzinski believed the players needed in each other and the coaches developed just like a prospect would.
Notre Dame has gone 11-3 after starting 6-5-1.
After a 2-1 loss to Bay Port in January that clinched the Fox River Classic Conference title for the Pirates, the Tritons have enjoyed a stretch in which they have won seven of eight.
They have outscored opponents 27-2 during a season-high four-game winning streak entering state.
Senior forward Joseph Coghlin has led the way on offense with 17 goals and 23 assists entering the sectional title game, while junior forward and University of Notre Dame football recruit James Flanigan had 13 goals and 19 assists.
“Our guys are extremely motivated people in general,” Szkodzinski said. “Being defeated twice (by Bay Port) in your own building by 2-1 scores is going to push that passion. They have brought that passion ever since. Besides that, we got healthy. … Now that we are healthy, it feels good to have a group that trusts each other and is very, very much united.”
Now the fun really begins.
Notre Dame is hoping to win the third title in program history. It already beat Edgewood 4-3 in December, although the Crusaders like the Tritons are a much better team now than two months ago.
They are 11-1 in the new year and feature a dominant trio of forwards in junior Matt Richter (34 goals, 21 assists), sophomore forward Owen Koch (26 goals, 19 assists) and junior Davis Halbleib (21 goals, 20 assists).
“Watching film, they are a very talented, skilled team,” Szkodzinski said. “They are very well-coached. I expect it to be a barnburner. I expect us to be in a close game, once again.”
The Coghlin connection
Of the many things Szkodzinski has enjoyed this season, having the opportunity to coach Coghlin is at the top of the list.
Szkodzinski played for Coghlin’s father, Tim, while at SNC and has known Joseph since he was a child.
Szkodzinski was the team MVP for SNC as a junior and senior and served as the Green Knights’ goalies coach for two seasons from 2004-06.
“It’s extremely rewarding,” Szkodzinski said. “Joseph Coghlin is one of the best kids I’ve ever met in my life. To be able to coach him, having played for his father, is humbling.”
Szkodzinski coached Joseph in camps while he was growing up, and Joseph has helped Szkodzinski with many of his youth hockey camps.
Joseph had a key role for the Tritons as a junior — he had an assist in the title game — but he has taken his game to another level in his final prep season.
“This year, he has been leaned on to be more of a leader than he has had to in the past because of the players that have been around him,” Szkodzinski said. “He has embraced that role. We have discussed what that takes on several occasions. He has completely knocked it out of the water.”
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Green Bay Notre Dame heads to state hockey under new coach Szkodzinski
