Novi Detroit Catholic Central fights its way into title game

Shamrocks win 2-1 clash vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary's

BY PERRY A. FARRELL
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

PLYMOUTH -- The buzz around Plymouth's packed Compuware Arena on Friday night was that the Division 1 semifinal showdown between Novi Detroit Catholic Central and rival Orchard Lake St. Mary's would decide the championship.

This highly awaited confrontation had defending champion CC (27-1-1) scoring two first-period goals and holding on to advance to the title game. The Shamrocks earned an emotionally charged 2-1 victory with both sides throwing blows, sticks and headgear in a donnybrook at the end.

CC will face Howell, who advanced with a 4-1 victory over Traverse City West, at 7 p.m. today.

"This was not a de facto championship," said CC coach Todd Johnson. "Howell is a much-better team than they were a year ago."

The Shamrocks beat Howell in last year's championship game, 7-0, and CC beat the Highlanders during the regular season, 3-2.

"I bet their coaches were smiling from ear to ear with all the things going on out there the final 2 minutes. We're pretty beat up right now and we lost a couple of guys. Physically and mentally, it's a quick turnaround."

Five penalties were called in the final 9 seconds of the game.

"It got pretty emotionally out there at the end," said Eaglets coach Brian Klanow. "They're a great team and they wanted to play a physical game. The two power-play goals they scored in the first period were huge."

The Eaglets (21-6-2) hadn't lost a game with junior Joseph Janiga in goal. Meanwhile, CC had beaten the Eaglets twice, 2-1 and 4-3, early in the year before Janiga took over.

Prep Hockey

No logos, photographs, or graphics on the site may be reproduced without written permission.