Hockey News Hockey News
News | Roster | Schedules--Results | Archives
3/2/07-Hockey
Eaglets escape
OLSM survives upset-minded Clarkston, sets up showdown
By Jake Sharfman/Special to The Oakland Press
BLOOMFIELD HILLS--The opportunity for revenge is a rare commodity most teams don't get. The fiery mentality that goes with vengence can be a powerful motivational tool used to bring out the best in athletes.
And after Orchard Lake St. Mary's mercied Clarkston earlier this month, 8-0, the Wolves had that golden opportunity for revenge where it would hurt the Eaglets the most -- the state playoffs.
Clarkston (8-15-3) gave the Eaglets (12-9-5) all they had, leaving their hearts, souls and skates on the ice, but were unable to pull off the upset, as the Eaglets knocked out Clarkston, 4-3, in the second round of the Division 1 pre-regional tournament at the Detroit Skating Club Thursday night.
"We showed a whole lot of heart out there tonight. We really gave it all we had," Clarkston head coach Bryan Krygier said. "They're a very good team and we didn't have anything to lose. I'd say we played up to our competition."
The victory for the Eaglets and a 7-0 win by Novi Detroit Catholic Central Thursday, sets up the highly-anticipated showdown between the two schools Saturday night in a regional final at Orchard Lake Ice Arena.
The difference in the game Thursday night proved to be a third-period power play goal by Eaglet forward Steve Tallman. With St. Mary's clinging to a 3-2 lead, the senior assistant captain faked a pass, then fired a shot which ricocheted off Clarkston keeper Garratt Knappe's leg pad, and into the net giving the Eaglets a two-goal advantage, 4-2.
Clarkston junior Ryan Kenerson scored a goal in the final two minutes, cutting it to the final margin of 4-3, but was too little, too late for the Wolves.
"It's an unfortunate way to give up that kind of goal," Krygier said. "When you're in the playoffs, though, any puck that goes towards the net has a chance of going in."
The defensive strategy the Wolves incorporated early on worked effectively. Tranferring their wing players to the front of the net on Eaglet attacks, Clarkston had success in denying St. Mary's easy looks at the net. The early defense, included with a Jeremy Voelker first-period goal, gave the Wolves a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission, and Clarkston fans reason to hope.
"They came in and used a nice game plan on us. We looked lost at times, not knowing what to do," Klanow said. "Hats off to Clarkston and their coaching staff. They have young talent and will be very good in the future."
The break in the first intermission provided the Eaglets with a rest, and time to reflect on the Clarkston game plan. Two goals within two minutes by Eaglets Jon Falvo and Charlie Semaan put St. Mary's back out in front before Clarkston knew what hit it.
The resilient Wolves, however, would not back down to the mighty Eaglets and knotted up the score at two with an unassisted goal by senior Blake Schmidt with just under eight minutes to play in the second period.
"I told our guys at the first intermission to just settle down," Klanow added. "We spent a lot of time down in their end and it was just a matter of time before we put one in. We needed to do a much better job capitalizing on our opportunities, but we found a way to win and that is what's most important."
The No. 8-ranked Eaglets now advance to play the No. 3-ranked Shamrocks.
The teams split two decisions earlier this season, and have evenly split the past six meetings, dating back to last season when St. Mary's knocked CC out of the state playoffs in this same game.
Ironically enough, neither team has won on its home ice in those six games.
"We obviously expect a very tough game Saturday night, with each team bringing everything they got. The team who wants it the most is going to win," said St. Mary's head coach Brian Klanow. "The game will carry a whole lot of emotion and has turned into quite a rivalry. I have the utmost respect for the (CC) program, this game is great for high school hockey."
Copyright 2007, St. Mary's Preparatory, Orchard Lake, Michigan. All rights reserved.
No logos, photographs, or graphics on the site may be reproduced without written permission.