Wolves tie in season opener

The Boys Varsity Hockey team tied, 4-4, their game with Birmingham Unified Saturday, Nov. 17.
At the drop of the puck, the Wolves swept forward, determined not to repeat the loss in last year’s opener against Birmingham Unified. Sophomore Adam Frank made the first goal for the Wolves with 8:26 remaining in the first period.
Only 34 seconds into the second period, Birmingham made their first goal, tying the game 1-1. Less than three minutes later, Birmingham made a second goal and were ahead of Clarkston by one.
As the the minutes continued to count down, hockey sticks cracked and opposing players clashed as both teams tried to get more points on the board.
With 1:45 left in the second period, Birmingham brought the score to 3-1.
The Wolves closed the gap when senior Aaron Podbelski shot the puck towards the net and made it in with 1:10 left in the second period.
As the the Wolves began the third period only one point behind, the drive came out in the wolfpack. At 11:29, junior Nick Posowatz tied the score.
Another three minutes had passed when junior Tyler Frake brought Clarkston one point ahead of Birmingham, with a score of 4-3.
Birmingham tied the score with 7:33 left in the game. Both teams fought to be the next to get the puck past the other’s goalie and into the net, but the game ended 4-4.
The first game gave the team and Coach Bryan Krygier elements to work on in practices, such as the turnovers that occurred during the game.
‘We did alright,? said Krygier. ‘We were off a little bit. There were too many turnovers and they capitalized on it. In the third, we came ahead, then they tied again. But we got some goals.?
The Wolves out shot Birmingham 43-28 on goals.
Returning for their last year are seniors Aaron Podbielski and David Morin, leading the way for the Wolves as captains. Most of the team are returning players from last year’s season, with 10 new players.
Dominating the team this year are the juniors, with 11 making up the team of 26, with a handful of seniors and sophomores and only one freshman, Austin Morse.
The Wolves’ next game will be this Friday, Nov. 23, 12 p.m., when they play Brighton in Cranbrook’s Thanksgiving Tournament. The tournament will be held at Cranbook Ice Arena, 550 Lone Pine in Birmingham.