BY LISA VALENTINE
Lake Orion Review
The Lake Orion varsity ice hockey team advanced to the regionals semifinal game on March 3, losing to Traverse City West after defeating Bay City Unified in their first playoff game on Feb. 28.
Against Bay City, the Dragons won 4-3, with Lake Orion’s goals scored by Kevin Maykovich, Matt Oliveri, Danny Randazzo and Kyle Krause.
‘We had good goaltending from Casey Navarre as well,? said coach Doug Herominski.
‘We played a very strong game and stayed out of the penalty box, which helped,? he said, adding that Lake Orion lost to Bay City last year, 4-1.
Against Traverse City West, one of the state’s best teams according to Herominski, Lake Orion lost 7-0 to end the season.
‘They were faster, but we did everything we could to stay with them,? he said. ‘The boys played well.?
Herominski said he believes part of the team’s improvement this season came from changing systems early on in the season.
‘We had a different style this year,? he said. ‘We changed some players from defense to offense, and that helped.
‘We also have more experience in the program, and we have a JV team now.?
Lake Orion graduates four seniors from the varsity team this year: Eric Klooster, Ben Longuski, Kevin Maykovich and Andrew Sargent.
‘I don’t think it will be that bad (next year),? Herominski said. ‘Junior Kip Drewry just joined the team this year, and he’s played travel hockey. He’s really mature and he brought a lot to the locker room.?
Navarre, also a junior, was a new goalie for the team, and a force according to Herominski.
‘He really played well this year,? he said. ‘We also have junior Danny Randazzo, who is new to the program, leading goal scoring.?
Herominski said despite not making it to the final game of the regional, he thinks his players are pleased with how the season went.
‘I think in the end they were happy,? he said. ‘They saw an improvement. We had a lot of close games, and we stayed with every team.?
This year’s team finished with a record of 11-12-3, compared with last year’s 9-11-6.