AFFTON — Mitchell Nappier changed his mind at the last second, and it turned out to be the right decision.
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Mid-States Challenge Cup quarterfinal, Game 1: Chaminade 10, Kirkwood 3
Chaminade forward Joseph Avenevoli (90) celebrates his goal with goaltender Colin McNamee (1) during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game against Kirkwood on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at Affton Ice Rink.
Chaminade Red Devil defenseman Charles Mineman (91) controls the puck behind his own net during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Chaminade Red Devil forward Beckham Billmeyer (52) takes a shot on Kirkwood Pioneers goalie Christian Ermilio (1) during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Chaminade Red Devil defenseman Charles Mineman (91) skates with the puck during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Chaminade Red Devil forward Liam Power (2) skates into the offensive zone with the puck during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Kirkwood Pioneers forward Sam Gruendler (15) fails to the deflect the high shot in front of Chaminade Red Devil Goalie Colin McNamee (1) during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Chaminade Red Devil forward Thomas Fair (15) skates with the puck during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Chaminade Red Devil defenseman Adrik Woodward (34) with a heavy body check against Kirkwood Pioneers defenseman Leo Shakofsky (86) along the boards during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Chaminade Red Devil forward Eric Ewing Jr. (19) celebrates his goal in front of the student section during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Kirkwood Pioneers forward Freddy Piasecki (19) checks Chaminade Red Devil defenseman Desmond Allman (5) into the boards trying to free the puck during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Chaminade Red Devil Goalie Colin McNamee (1) watches as the puck goes into the corner during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Chaminade Red Devil defenseman Lucas Karcher (17) backhands the puck towards the goal after avoiding the poke check of Kirkwood Pioneers defenseman Zach Burke (56) during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Chaminade players celebrate a goal in the second period during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Chaminade Red Devil defenseman Connor Kaiman (55) skates the puck out from behind his own net during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Kirkwood Pioneers forward Sam Gruendler (15) takes a wrist shot after avoiding the poke check of Chaminade Red Devil defenseman Matthew Clarke (21) during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Kirkwood Pioneers forward Cooper Schulze (13) tries to get a stick on the rebound from Chaminade Red Devil Goalie Colin McNamee (1) during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Chaminade Red Devil Goalie Colin McNamee (1) set up the puck for a teammate during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Mid-States Challenge Cup quarterfinal, Game 1: CBC 4, Vianney 2
Vianney Golden Griffen forward Auggie Wright (22) takes a shot towards the goal despite the stick of CBC Cadets defenseman Harry Larrigan (23) being wrapped around him during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
CBC Cadets goalie Gavin Arnold (1) gives a fist pump as time expires and his team clinches the victory during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
CBC Cadets goalie Gavin Arnold (1) can’t make the save but gets some help as the puck bounces off the goal post during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
CBC players celebrate their victory in front of the student section during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
CBC Cadets defenseman Harry Larrigan (23) controls the puck in the corner during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Vianney Golden Griffen goalie Chase Vogelgesang (34) makes the save with CBC Cadets forward Gunner Mangelsdorf (26) looking for a rebound during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
CBC Cadets forward Gunner Mangelsdorf (26) controls the puck along the boards during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Vianney Golden Griffen forward Brooks McClary (13) skates with the puck while being defended by CBC Cadets forward Robert Kelly (19) during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Vianney Golden Griffen defenseman Mark Shipley (6) skates with the puck during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Vianney Golden Griffen goalie Chase Vogelgesang (34) stands tall to watch the play past the screen of CBC Cadets forward Carson Trader (12) and Vianney Golden Griffen defenseman Mark Shipley (6) during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Vianney Golden Griffin defenseman Austin Elliot (29) uses his stick to try and knock the puck loose from CBC Cadets forward Chase Blanchard (11) during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
CBC Cadets forward Brady Bates (17) skates the puck out from behind the net of Vianney Golden Griffen goalie Chase Vogelgesang (34) during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
CBC Cadets forward Gordon Crowley (32) is all smiles after scoring a goal in the second period during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Vianney Golden Griffen defenseman Mark Shipley (6) controls the puck in the corner during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Vianney Golden Griffen forward Landon Knittel (83) gets called for hooking as he tries to slow down CBC Cadets forward Brady Bates (17) during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
CBC Cadets forward Luke Becker (2) settles the puck before taking a shot while being defended by Vianney Golden Griffen defenseman Mark Shipley (6) during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
CBC players celebrate scoring a goal in front of their student section during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
CBC Cadets defenseman Cooper Aegerter (28) skates away from Vianney Golden Griffen forward Charlie Salas (4) with the puck during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
CBC Cadets goalie Gavin Arnold (1) makes a shoulder save during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Vianney players celebrate after tying the game at one early in the fist period during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
CBC Cadets forward Alex Piasecki (4) goes in the corner to pick up the loose puck against the forecheck of Vianney Golden Griffen forward Landon Knittel (83) during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
CBC Cadets defenseman Ryan Mueller (8) tries to move the puck against the forecheck of Vianney Golden Griffen forward Landon Knittel (83) during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
Vianney Golden Griffen forward Landon Knittel (83) tips the puck past CBC Cadets defenseman Ryan Mueller (8) during a Mid States Club Hockey quarterfinal playoff game one on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at the Affton Ice Rink in Affton. Rick Ulreich, Special to the Post-Dispatch
