St. Mary's beats East Kentwood in state semifinal

BY RICK SCHULTE DETROIT FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER

PLYMOUTH -- It's a good thing Orchard Lake St. Mary's plays the last of three state title games set for today.

The Eaglets will need some time to recover from a rugged win over East Kentwood in a Division 1 semifinal, 3-2. Twenty-one penalties were called in a tight, exciting game.

East Kentwood's Stephen Dykstra tied the game at 2 4 minutes into the third period, but St. Mary's took a two-man advantage with 7:36 left.

A little more than a minute later, the Eaglets (19-10) capitalized.

Matthew Sweet scooped up a miss, weaved in and backhanded one into the net for the go-ahead goal. The play was set up by Trevor Bardallis, who stopped a clearing pass by the Falcons, then fired a shot from the point that bounced into traffic.

The Eaglets grabbed a 1-0 lead on Cody Milan goal at 14:25 of the first period, but also fired two slap shots off the pipe. In all, they outshot the Falcons, 10-1, in the opening frame.

East Kentwood (19-9-1) tied the game 1:29 into the second period with a goal from Trent Bravata (assisted by Brett White).

The Falcons' momentum grew when they twice held a two-man advantage a short time later -- but they couldn't capitalize.

With both teams putting mounting pressure on the net, the game became a physical grind -- 12 penalties were issued in the second period. It didn't produce any more offense until the final minute.

Six seconds into a power play, the Eaglets regained the lead, 2-1, as Milan scored unassisted after a face-off deep in the Falcons' end.

Both goalies played well. St. Mary's Joe Janiga had 22 saves; East Kentwood's Daniel Leahy stopped 18 shots.

Prep Hockey

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