Brandon Newman was the fuel that propelled the Brandon varsity hockey team past their Goodrich neighbors Dec. 11.
Newman, a sophomore, scored five goals as the Blackhawks defeated the Martians 6-3 at Ice Mountain Sports Complex in Burton. Matt Cinader played a key role in the game as well, assisting on three of Newman’s goals.
The Blackhawks were the more aggressive team offensively, firing 27 shots at Goodrich goalie Brad Smith. By contrast, the Martians fired 13 shots at Brandon sophomore goalie Jeff Hammond.
Brandon coach Brian Moore said Newman’s production has been no accident.
‘He’s been working very hard,? Moore said. ‘He’s handling the puck beautifully and taking specific steps to improve himself.?
Two of Newman’s goals came in the first period, as the Blackhawks broke a scoreless tie with three goals in the final three minutes of the first period.
Newman opened the scoring on assists from Cinader and Kyle Jackson. Mike Ross then scored on a power play goal for the Blackhawks, on assists from Mike Cybulski and Chris Nuccio. Newman then scored his second goal on an assist from Cinader.
‘Their goalie played well early on,? Moore said of Smith. ‘It was pretty comforting getting three goals at the end of the first. Goodrich is always a high-scoring team and they’re going to get their shots.?
The Martians got on the scoreboard in the second period on an unassisted goal by Brian Van Kuren. Newman then scored two more goals (one assisted by Cinader, the other by Scott Thurman) before Van Kuren scored his second goal of the game on an assist from Reece Geml, trimming the Blackhawks? lead to 5-2 at the end of the second period.
The two teams then traded goals in the third period, with Max Hawkins scoring for Goodrich (on an assist from Travis Wandell) and Newman scoring his fifth goal (on assists from Nuccio and Jackson).
Hammond earned his second win of the season in as many starts in net for Brandon. Moore said the Blackhawks are in good shape at goalie with Hammond and starter David Hughes, a senior.
‘He’s playing with a lot of confidence,? Moore said of Hammond. ‘We’re fortunate that the guys have confidence in both David and Jeff. I think our guys are confident that these guys will hold us in there.?
‘In a high-scoring contest Dec. 8, several Brandon hockey players got in on the action.
Nine Blackhawks scored at least one goal as the Blackhawks defeated visiting Lake Orion 12-4 at the Polar Palace in Lapeer. Brandon scored four goals each in the first, second, and third periods on their way to the win.
The Blackhawks shut out the Dragons in the first period before allowing three goals in the second and one in the third.
Ross led the charge for Brandon with two goals and four assists, while Steve Tallman notched two goals and two assists and Cybulski tallied two goals and an assist.
Brendon Moquin, Newman, Jackson, Blake McLellan, Craig Skidmore, and Cinader also scored for the Blackhawks.
Hughes stopped 16-of-20 shots (80 percent) for the Blackhawks.
‘On Dec. 9, the Martians earned a 4-0 win against Freeland. Smith stopped all 15 Freeland shots, while Hawkins notched a hat trick and assisted on a goal by Van Kuren.
A day earlier, the Martians dropped a tight 4-3 contest against Durand. Hawkins, Steve Locke, and Geml scored goals for the Martians.