PHOTOS: Olentangy Liberty wins Columbus area's first OHSAA hockey state title

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; A University School fan waves a flag during the playing of the national anthem prior to the OHSAA state hockey championship against Olentangy Liberty at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Olentangy Liberty's Charlie Hughes (5) scores against University School's Noah Caballero (30) during the first period of the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Olentangy Liberty's Charlie Hughes (5) celebrates after his goal against University School's Noah Caballero (30) during the first period of the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; The University School student section reacts to Olentangy Liberty’s first goal during the first period of the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Olentangy Liberty's Andrew Leonard (2) collides with University School's Kellen McGarry C (7) and Luke Brandon (22) during the second period of the OHSAA Division I boys hockey state championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Olentangy Liberty's Jake Struck (21) makes a shot attempt while defended by University School's Michael Matthews (20) and Luke Brandon (22) during the first period of the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Olentangy Liberty's Charlie Hughes (5) is defended by University School's Gavin Jones (19) during the first period of the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; University School student section boos the Olentangy Liberty Patriots during the first period of the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Olentangy Liberty's Charlie Hughes (5) makes a shot attempt blocked by University School's goaltender Noah Caballero (30) during the first period of the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Olentangy Liberty's Charlie Hughes (5) celebrates after scoring his third goal and a hat trick during the second period of the OHSAA state hockey championship against University School at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; University School's Sam Wade (21) skates away with the puck as Olentangy Liberty and University School players knock the goal off it’s spikes during the first period of the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Olentangy Liberty's goaltender coach Eddie Arcy gives away hats after Charlie Hughes (5) made his third goal in the second period of the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena against University School. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; University School's Michael Matthews (20) collides with Olentangy Liberty's Brian Savage during the second period of the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; University School's Anthony Messina (11) and Olentangy Liberty's Charlie Hughes (5) contests the puck during the second period of the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; A referee pats Olentangy Liberty's Vinny Rengel (17) on the arm during the second period of the OHSAA state hockey championship against University School at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Olentangy Liberty's Jake Struck (21) falls after getting tangled in University School's Michael Matthews’s hockey stick during the second period of the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Olentangy Liberty's Charlie Hughes (5) makes his third goal in the second period of the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena against University School. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Olentangy Liberty fans celebrate after the Patriots second goal of the game during the second period of the OHSAA state hockey championship against University School at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Olentangy Liberty's Charlie Hughes (5) races University School's Kellen McGarry C (7) towards the puck during the second period of the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; University School's Noah Caballero (30) defends against Olentangy Liberty's Andrew Leonard (2) during the second period of the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Olentangy Liberty's Jack Hamilton (26) winces after getting up being checked during the second period of the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Olentangy Liberty's Jack Hamilton (26) collides with University School's Sam Wade (21) during the third period of the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Olentangy Liberty's Jack Hamilton (26) collides with University School's Luca Garofalo (10) during the third period of the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; University School's Luca Garofalo, left, is comforted by Will Genovese watching the Olentangy Liberty Patriots receive boys hockey state championship awards after the Patriots won at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Olentangy Liberty Patriots mitts and sticks are forgotten on the ice as the boys hockey team accepts awards after defeating University School in the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Olentangy Liberty's Wilson Roberts (22) high fives fans as he walks back to the locker room after the Patriots defeated University School in the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Olentangy Liberty's Vinny Rengel (17) celebrates with coaching staff while walking back to the locker room after the Patriots defeated University School in the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Mar 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Olentangy Liberty head coach Kevin Alexander is doused in water while celebrating with the team after the Patriots defeated University School in the OHSAA state hockey championship at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch