While the Wolves are not ready to topple the best teams in the state they proved they can tangle with them as Clarkston’s hockey team lost 4-2 on their home ice to No. 2 (Division I) Orchard Lake St. Mary’s on Feb. 4.
‘Three minor let downs against a good team will cost you a game. We made three mistakes. Overall we showed that we can play with them and that they’re beatable. We need to refine a couple things before the playoffs,? Clarkston Coach Bryan Krygier said.
The Wolves were the first to light the lamp as senior Kyle Chartrand redirected senior Matt Prasil’s shot from the point over Eaglets? goaltender Ryan Dentamaro’s right shoulder with 1:56 remaining in the first period, just 15 seconds into a power play. Mike Medonis also assisted on the goal.
‘We came out slow and then we steadily picked it up. These are the problems I face with this team this year, they only go enough to get it done,? St. Mary’s Coach Brian Klanow said.
Clarkston carried the 1-0 advantage until midway through the second period when the Eaglets? Brandon Kozlowski tied the game on an one-timer from Clinton Bourbonais. The 1-1 tie held up at the close of the second periord, but 20 seconds into the third Bourbanais was on the receiving end of a centering pass from Alex Prough and Clarkston found themselves trailing 2-1.
‘We didn’t play our best game tonight, but good team’s find a way to win. I’m proud of the fact that we found a way to win even though we weren’t at our best. Not taking anything away from Clarkston, they played very good,? Klanow said. ‘You always expect Clarkston to be a good team. They are a very well coached team, they are disciplined, they have some good players. Every year we play, I expect them to always be a tough team.?
Clarkston showed its mettle late in the game as Chartrand scored his second goal of the contest with 4:00 left in the game, assisted by senior Mark Brady.
The Wolves could not build on Chartrand’s effort as 25 seconds later Bourbonais was celebrating his second goal of the contest and the eventual game winner, having received a cross ice pass in front of the Clarkston net which left Wolves? goalie Adam Richards with little chance.
‘We should of had the momentum after we scored, but we gave it back to them,? Krygier said.
St. Mary’s Alex Prough added the final goal of the contest with :36 remaining in the game.
Richards made 22 saves in the loss. His counterpart, Dentamaro kept 15 pucks out of the net.
?(The game against St. Mary’s) shows we’ve improved from the beginning of the season to now. We’re playing better and accomplishing things we should be,? Krygier said.
Clarkston was not completely frozen out this past week as the Wolves defeated Grosse Pointe North 3-1 at home on Feb. 2.
Richards stood tall in the win making 34 saves. Kyle Chartrand scored the game winner for the Wolves and had an assist. Senior Taylor Turner and sophomore Aaron Podbielski each tallied goals as well. Medonis and Prasil each had two assists.
The Wolves have some stiff competition ahead at the High School Hockey Showcase in Trenton on Feb. 10-11. Clarkston takes on East Kentwood, the No.5 ranked team in Division I, on Feb. 10 and follows with the No.8 team in Division II, Portage Central, on Feb. 11.
Before heading to Trenton though, Clarkston has a road matchup with fellow OAA I league member Waterford United on Feb. 8. The Wolves defeated Waterford 5-4 on Dec. 1.