NEWARK -- As the lowest seed entering the 12-team Buckeye Cup state club hockey tournament, the Newark Generals surprised everyone but themselves.

"I think a lot of people doubted us going into the tournament," senior Tyler Russell said. "I think they thought we would just come in and lose three games and be done. But through hard work and great team chemistry, we exceeded everyone's expectations."

Newark opened the tournament by knocking off the top seed from Cincinnati, Lakota East, 5-0. The Generals followed with a 6-2 win against Painesville Riverside and a 4-2 victory against Mason to finish pool play.

Newark then beat Medina in a shootout before falling 2-1 in the state final against the Northeast Storm.

"No one expected us to do anything in this tournament, and we wanted to prove people wrong," said junior Thomas Nichols, who returned for the tournament after missing the regular season with a shoulder injury. "We weren't even expected to make the playoffs and were in last place in our league at one point of the season.

"We just played with a lot of heart, and everything just clicked for us."

Nichols was a freshman when the Generals won the state tournament in 2009.

The Generals, who were 7-2-1 in their 10 games before the tournament, had eight players score goals.

Goalie Zach Dennis had a shutout in the first game, and finished the tournament with more than 70 saves and around a .920 save percentage.

"Getting that shutout the first game really set the tone for the whole tournament," said Dennis, a junior from Granville. "I knew I had to have a good performance and there was some pressure, especially in the shootout, but you just have to stay focused."

Generals coach Don Jennings said everything starts with Dennis, and he wasn't surprised he came through with an outstanding performance.

"Zach is a highly-skilled goaltender, and he's been a mainstay for us all season," Jennings said. "Having a solid goaltender in hockey means everything, and he certainly came through for us. He just doesn't allow any weak goals, and that's a huge plus."

Junior Matt Congos led the Generals with seven goals, including multiple goals in three of the five games, and he finished with eight points.

"I just enjoy playing in tournaments and just feel really comfortable," Congos said. "I just think we are a really good tournament team because we are able to stay focused and keep our minds where they need to be.

"As far as scoring (the) goals, Alex (O'Neill) did all the work and all I had to do was put the puck in. It was a great weekend for us."

Jennings said Congos has tremendous ability to score when needed.

"He is really quick and has great hands, and he has a lot of skill," Jennings said. "The thing with him is when gets an opportunity to score, he takes advantage it and usually scores."

O'Neill, a sophomore, had eight assists and nine points. Russell had six points, and Nichols five. Senior Clay Beckholt had the winning goal in the semifinal shootout win.

"It was an amazing weekend for us, and I couldn't be more proud," Jennings said. "After struggling most of the season and for us to end up in the state finals is just unbelievable.

"The younger players really stepped up, and the juniors and seniors also did a remarkable job."

With the entire team returning except the five seniors, expectations will be much higher next season.

"The opportunities are there if we continue to work hard," Jennings said. "We have a great system in place, and if we continue to follow it like we did last weekend, we could do some big things next year."