SYLVANIA, Ohio — Following a historic 9-0 win over Bowling Green on Jan. 6, Sylvania Northview hockey goalie Austin Nowak set a new school record for career shutouts.
"Honestly, the boys were more excited about it than I was," Nowak, a senior, said. "They were always reminding me, saying 'hey, we're three away and two away.' It was awesome seeing them jump on me."
Described by head coach Steve Elliott as a team-oriented player, the Nowak couldn't help but garner some of the attention.
"They care a lot about him as an individual and as their teammate," Elliott said. "They know how much he does for them, to bail them out so many times. So to help him get that accolade and honor is huge for everybody."
Nowak moved into first place on the program's all-time list after holding the Bobcats off the scoreboard and securing his 16th career shutout.
"I'm proud of him and he puts in the work," Elliott said. "You want to see kids doing what they can to be the best at their trade or skill to get the reward. He got the reward and he deserves it."
This season, Nowak has been nothing short of stellar in net. He has stopped more than 94% of shots and only given up an average of 1.4 goals per game, which has helped elevate the Wildcats atop the NHC Red Division.
"Goalie is the quarterback of play, you're the only one looking up ice the whole time and see everything develop," Nowak said. "You're also the only one on the ice the whole game as well. I like the pressure aspect of it."
Nowak's success has given him placed him among the elite of Northview's hockey history.
"Individual-wise, statistics and his play, he ranks near the top of any goalie who has played in the program," Elliott said.
Legacy aside, Nowak's focus remains on the ultimate prize: he would love nothing more than to cap his career in Columbus.
"Obviously it's cool, but at the end of the day I'd trade in a state championship for a personal achievement any day," Nowak said.