Lake Orion had something to prove when they went up against Clarkston Saturday.
They proved their hockey prowess to their crosstown rivals in the first period.
Less than four minutes into the game, Corbin Rainey made the first goal on a power play. Blaine Horn assisted Rainey on the point.
Lake Orion’s next goal came with a minute and a half left in the period. Brad Berschbach made the goal with assistance from John Costigan.
By the end of the period, Lake Orion out shot the Wolves 13-7.
The Wolves came back to outshoot the Dragons for the next two periods, but Dragon goalie Jason Stross blocked their attempts.
Clarkston out shot Lake Orion for the entire game, 27-26, but lost 2-0.
‘They won the game in the first period,? said coach Bryan Krygier. ‘It’s a game of least mistakes. You make two mistakes in one period, the other team capitalizes on them ? it’s very hard to dig yourself out of that hole. Their goal tender was a good goal tender. We out shot them in the second and third period. We just couldn’t get it past the goal tender.?
Both teams see each other on a daily basis as they practice at Detroit Skate Center, but this was the first time they met on the ice.
‘It’s a good rivalry, especially since we practice at the same rink. We see each other,? Krygier said. ‘They have good coaches, we talk to them. Two good programs, and we should have a lot more confidence.?
‘We felt like we had something to prove,? said Lake Orion Coach Pat Cherry. ‘We have taken a lot of strides in the last three years. We just wanted to show them that we could compete.?
The two teams could have two more meetings this year. Clarkston will be ready for their next meeting with Lake Orion, Feb. 14, Krygier said.
‘We have to minimize our mistakes,? he said.
The game prepared them for this week’s busy schedule.
On Tuesday, they faced St. Mary’s (8-8-2), defending state champions of division one.
‘They are struggling a little bit, but they’re still strong. There’s no reason if we play good, consistent hockey and do not make mistakes, we can have a chance. You never know, but you gotta play the game.?
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Clarkston’s rematch against Stoney Creek Jan. 24 went better.
When the Wolves went against Cougars the first time this season, they beat them 4-1. They repeated history and beat them, 2-1.
The first goal was made by Tyler Frakes with an assist from Adam Frank.
Frank led the Wolves to the win when made his own goal with an assist from Jeff Thomson.
They out shot their competition 25-22.
‘We held on, we wanted to win,? said coach Bryan Krygier.
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On Thursday, Clarkston will host Waterford Kettering (6-2-1) in a rematch. They lost to Kettering, 6-3, at the beginning of December.
‘We kind of gave that game away,? Krygier said. ‘So if we play consistent, I think we should beat them. I hope we beat them. We need to especially if we want to get back in our standings in the OAA.?
Saturday will bring another rematch for the team, as they travel to Lakeland Ice Arena to play Waterford Mott (3-5-1). Their Thursday game will begin at 8 p.m. at Detroit Skate Center in Bloomfield Hills.
Saturday’s game will be at Lakeland Ice Arena in Waterford and will start at 1:20 p.m.