Clarkston’s hockey team, despite suffering their third league loss, 4-3 on Jan. 14 to Farmington United, is still aiming to finish near the top of the standings at seasons end.
?(The league) is still up for grabs. Right now I’d like to be in the top three. A lot of things can happen,? Clarkston Coach Bryan Krygier said.
Though Clarkston lost to Farmington, Krygier was pleased with the efforts of the team. The Wolves trailed 4-1 entering after the first period and 4-2 entering the third.
‘Instead of folding and getting blown out, we fought our way back into the game,? Krygier said.
Senior Kyle Cummings scored one of Clarkston’s goals and senior Kyle Chartrand had three assists against Farmington.
The week on the ice was not all small victories. On Jan. 12 the Wolves triumphed over Birmingham United 5-3 at home.
?(Birmingham) graduated a lot of seniors and are a little down this year. They are kind of going through the same things we are,? Krygier said.
Chartrand was again the big winner for Clarkston, scoring three goals. Cummings added the other two scores. Scott Cooley added two assists, while Ryan Kenerson, Matt Prasil and Mike Medonis also added helpers in the win.
Clarkston is 7-6-1 overall and sports a 6-3-1 league record. One encouraging factor is the increased parity within the OAA DI this year. Farmington, with a 4-1-1 record in the OAA DI has the inside track on the league title.
The Wolves do not play again until Jan. 26 at Royal Oak. Clarkston then hosts Troy on Jan. 28. Krygier hopes the layoff will help the Wolves shore up some nagging issues.
‘We are just making bad hockey mistakes,? Krygier said. ‘We have to put into action what we’ve learned in the first half of the season.?
? NOAH PURCELL