Noah Clapp paced back and forth in the locker room, bouncing a bright green tennis ball against the ground.

The Hanover High senior goalie fired the ball with vigor, alternating hands at every bounce. He barely needed to look down to continue his furious pace.

Music blared from a speaker next to Clapp’s locker. His teammates on the Hanover High varsity boys’ hockey team bobbed their heads as Lil’ Wayne chanted the lyrics to his 2008 hit “A Milli.’’

“Regular warmups and everything,’’ Clapp yelled, just loud enough to combat the near-deafening volume of the pre-game tunes.

“It’s just another game.’’

It was 12:10 p.m., less than an hour before puck drop for the Division 3 boys’ hockey state title game. Clapp’s Indians were set to battle Central champ Algonquin Regional of Northborough, but the atmosphere in locker room 5 at TD Garden was loose.

Many of the players had been here before. In 2014, Hanover advanced to the final, only to fall, 7-1, to Shrewsbury High .

For players like Clapp, fellow captain Landon Hasenfuss, and the other nine seniors, this was the last chance to avenge the failure of two seasons prior. The Indians were after the program’s first state title since 1997.

“We’re used to the atmosphere now,’’ Hasenfuss said before entering the locker room.

“We’re here now just for the state championship; we’re not really amazed by the Garden.’’

Hasenfuss took his seat in the right corner, next to Clapp. His usual blonde locks were a shade brighter, bleached to a neon yellow. It’s something the team has done for years, and the sea of bleached mohawks and mullets makes it clear the tradition has continued.

“Every year we make the tournament we just do something as a team to unite ourselves,’’ Clapp said.

“Team bonding is huge for us. That’s something we take pride in. Something we think we do better than anyone else is being a family.’’

This closeness was reflected in the motto on the back of the squad’s grey long sleeves: the acronym T.E.A.M, meaning, “together everyone achieves more.’’

The Indians built their camaraderie last summer, with captains’ practices, basketball games and trips to Chipotle.

That chemistry provided support for junior forward Alex Wisnes. One day prior to the team’s 5-1 win over Wayland in the state semifinals, Wisnes lost his grandfather, Michael Juliano.

But Wisnes played, and was awarded the blue-hard hat, presented to the player with the gutsiest performance.

“It doesn’t go to the top scorer,’’ said coach Jonny Abban. “It goes to a player that really gives us everything we need.’’

As the clock inched towards 12:40, the room grew louder. Players wrapped circles of black tape around their sticks, clicked on their pads, and laced up their skates.

Once 12:50 hit, the music stopped. Abban emerged from the hallway.

“You bring everything today. You do not leave anything in this locker room,’’ the coach shouted.

He ran his fingers through his curly black hair, and paused his pacing at the front of the room.

“It’s a great honor to be here. But I refuse, refuse to be just a finalist.’’

The tone was hushed. Abban glided through his pre-game speech, bouncing on certain words for emphasis.

“We’re going out as champions today, guys, alright?’’

Thirty bleach-blonde heads nodded in approval.

“I know we are, because we have the talent, the desire. Guys, you have an entire town here, OK . . . Get out there, have a look around, but then get your game faces on.’’

Assistant coach Jeff Ray offered the final words before the Indians took the ice . . . reminding the players about the lively the boards at the Garden . . . telling them to go blocker side low on Algonquin goalie Mike Tascione.

The Indians gathered in a huddle at the center of the locker room, and walked out the door.

A screaming throng of Hanover supporters greeted the players as they walked through the tunnel. Clapp was the final player to take the ice, and he was sure to slap the hands of a few youngsters before.

The Indians went to work early.

Hasenfuss opened the scoring with a one-timer 10 minutes in. Just as Ray predicted, it was a low shot on Tascione’s blocker side.The assist came from Brett Parker, who had left the program two years ago to play club hockey with the Boston Advantage before returning for his senior season.

Algonquin scored the equalizer 30 seconds later.

But Parker netted the eventual game-winner, and a 2-1 lead, on a pretty backhander with less than two minutes left in the period.

Three other Indians (22-3-1) finished off the 5-1 victory with tallies, with senior defenseman Nick Joy adding an empty-netter late in the third.

As soon as the final whistle blew, celebration ensued. Players leapt into the boards, slamming the glass barrier in excitement. Young fans swarmed to slap shoulder pads as the Indians exited the ice.

The jubilance spilled into the locker room. Conversation topics changed from lively boards to who could get more Instagram likes on their trophy photo.

Abban quieted his squad. It has been a challenging season. The coach’s 10-year-old daughter, Katelyn, had spent time at Children’s Hospital in Boston with a medical issue, but is on the mend now.

“You guys were here every step of the way,’’ said Abban, choking back tears after he had guided his alma mater to a state title. Throughout the season, his family had been buoyed by cards and well wishes from the players. Parents fixed dinners.

“They found that hockey family,’’ Abban said the next day. “That’s more about life than hockey.’’

Wisnes too found solitude in the victory. His grandfather would have been proud.

“He was watching me tonight,’’ Wisnes said, his eyes looking up.

Hasenfuss and Clapp were the last players to leave the locker room. A police escort back to the Hanover American Legion hall awaited. Alumni and townspeople filled the town center, enjoying Buffalo Wild Wings catering and celebrating the victory.

The senior captains soaked it all in.

“We were much hungrier this time than last time,’’ Hasenfuss said, cradling the trophy just outside the locker room.

“It’s a great feeling, especially with the group of kids we have right now. It’s just a great way to end our season and our careers.’’

Clapp and Hasenfuss were part of a long journey: one that started long before they organized captains’ practices back in June.

“I’ll never forget it,’’ Clapp said as he prepared to take the elevator down to the team bus.

“Nothing’s better than winning your last game at the Boston Garden for the state championship.’’

Matt MacCormack can be reached at matt.maccormack@globe.com.