A fully healthy Wildcat Hockey team prevailed in a come-from-behind, 5-3 victory over Swartz Creek on Wednesday.
Wildcats Mitch Stefanski and Tim Perks returned from injury and each scored a goal, helping lift Oxford out of its two-game losing streak.
Perks got the scoring started with his first period goal, which was assisted by Senior Elliot Wicker and Junior Will Buday.
Swartz Creek took control the rest of the first, scoring two goals and shutting down Oxford.
The Wildcats then shut down Swartz Creek, not allowing another goal until the third period. Oxford Goalie Corey Hrischuk continued his solid net play, stopping Swartz Creek’s momentum, giving Oxford a chance to tie the game in the third.
‘This is what good goaltenders do, they give you an opportunity to win and make the timely saves when you need them,? said Coach Dave Hague.
Oxford used an offensive explosion in the third period, scoring four times en route to the victory. Buday scored a goal and picked up another assist on Stefanski’s goal, giving Buday three points for the game.
Sophomore Matt Reid picked up two more points with another goal and assist, giving him 11 points for the season. Senior Ben McCloskey added two assists, while Senior Matt Zaun had an unassisted goal.
Hague was proud of the way his team played. ‘This’was a nice come from behind win for our team,? he said.?’We weren’t getting the bounces early on and ran into some penalty trouble, but stayed focused.’I thought we really competed in the third period at both ends of the ice. This was’truly a team win and I was excited to see our boys battle back for it.?