St. Mary' nips Marquette in hockey benefit

By JEFF STEARNS

ORCHARD LAKE—Inspired by the words of Detroit Red Wing hall of fame hockey player Ted Lindsay at Tuesday's pregame banquet to go out and "play the greatest game in the world with skill and passion" the Orchard Lake St. Mary's Eaglets and the Marquette Redmen went out Wednesday night and did just that, and in so doing, made the Champs for Charity game benefiting Make-A-Wish Foundation truly memorable.

Before a SRO crowd at St. Mary's Athletic Complex Ice Arena, the Eaglets and Redmen played a tight-checking, defensive contest that symbolized an end-of-season game rather than a season opener. In the end, however, the Eaglets prevailed 2-1 on a third period power play goal and blue-line defense that has become the hallmark of Brian Klanow-coached teams.

The Redmen took the early lead with 4:57 left in the first period when senior forward Beau Adams scored off assists from senior Craig Storm and junior Eric Rizzio. Shots on goal for the period were 6-5 in favor of St. Mary's.

The Eaglets returned the favor and tied the game at 10:03 in the second period when senior Max Borchers put the puck past Redmen senior goaltender Troy Anderson with assists from junior Kevin Killian and junior Nick Czinder. Picking up the pace, the Eaglets outshot the Redmen 11-10 for the period.

Just as it looked like the crowd might witness a repeat of last March's state championship game, Eaglet junior Dan Milan scored the game-winner on a power play off assists from juniors Zak Thompson and Cody King. The Eaglets maintained control of the puck for the remainder of the game to seal the victory, outshooting the Redmen for the period 13-6 and for the game, 30-21.

Even though the Redmen had the edge in power plays, 5-4, the Eaglets made one of theirs count.

Eaglet senior goaltender Chris Sullivan had 20 saves while Redmen senior goaltender Troy Anderson had 29.

The Eaglets travel to Compuware Arena in Plymouth on Saturday to play Novi Detroit Catholic Central. The Redmen return home to play Escanaba on Tuesday.

Prep Hockey

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