Vikings Finish Season on High Note, beat Zumwalt West

Francis Howell erupted for five goals on Monday night to defeat Fort Zumwalt West. It was the third game of pool play for both teams in the 2024 Wickenheiser Cup Playoffs. The bracket has already been won by Ladue High School, who defeated both Howell and West in prior contests and will be moving on to the next round, but bragging rights for two top programs in St. Charles County were on the line.

The Vikings got on the board first by a seeing-eye shot from the left point by defenseman Jonas Blankenship, who was assisted by Charlie Jackson and Jack Blankenship. West knotted the score in the second but Howell held tight and scored in the final minute of the middle period on a right wing drive by senior Chase O'Donnell (assisted by Jackson). 

Howell owned the third, scoring just over a minute into the period when Jonah Vaughn punched a puck over the pad of the goalie, sniffing out an opportunity by the right post (Vaughn pictured, with #29 Lindhorst in celebration). West struggled to stay out of the penalty box and Francis Howell capitalized, netting two more on power plays (Jackson assisted by Wright and Lindhorst; O'Donnell assisted by Sirimaturos). 

Charlie Jackson, who had one goal and two assists, and Chase O'Donnell with two goals led the Vikings. Francis Howell allowed just 21 shots on goal (according to team records), which is the fewest allowed in any Howell game all season except the Senior Night victory against Wentzville Liberty.