Eaglets win regional hockey title

West Bloomfield Eccentric

TROY--Orchard Lake St. Mary's earned a regional championship in the Division 1 hockey tournament Saturday by defeating Birmingham Unified in the final at Troy Sports Center, 3-2.

The Eaglets, who improved their record to 21-5-1, started fast, taking a 3-0 lead in the second period, and then held on for the victory.

Jordan Kieltyka and Matt Borchers scored in the first period, and Shane Halaas accounted for the third goal.

Borchers and Halaas also had one assist each, as did Cody Loyer, Zak Thompson, Dane Muller and Kevin Killian for the Eaglets.

Birmingham got a power-play goal from Matt McCarthy in the second period, and Bennett Thompson scored a short-handed goal with 1:45 remaining in the third.

Kevin Wilberding, Brad Almeter, Nick Hurite and McCarthy picked up assists for Birmingham (6-18-3).

St. Mary's goalie Max Oslund made 14 saves, and Birmingham netminder Matt Trogu stopped 19 shots.

The Eaglets, the defending state co-champions with Marquette, advanced to the state quarterfinals for the fourth year in a row.

St. Mary's, which also defeated Bloomfield Unified (4-2) and Clarkston (5-0) in pre-regional games, played Grosse Pointe North Wednesday night at St. Clair Shores Civic Arena.

The St. Mary's-GPN winner will meet either Howell or Rochester United in a semifinal game 8:30 p.m. Friday at Compuware Arena in Plymouth Township.

Prep Hockey

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