BY PAUL KAMPE
Clarkston News Staff Writer
On the day of the seventh annual ‘Hockey Day in Canada? on Saturday featuring a Canadian triple-billing, the Clarkston Wolves found themselves in the middle of three Oakland Activities Association games on the docket.
Looking to rebound from a 4-1 season-opening loss to Birmingham United, the Wolves (2-7-3, 0-4-2 OAA) stood their ground against no. 6 ranked BU, heading to the third period tied 1-1.
After William Howe notched his third goal of the season to put BU (7-3-2, 3-1-1 OAA) ahead at 11:29 of the third, the Wolves got the tying goal from an unlikely source. Freshman forward Adam Frank put the puck home after Matt Campbell skated into the BU zone with 10:23 remaining.
The score stayed the same the rest of the way, giving the Wolves their second conference tie this season, 2-2.
Clarkston net-minder Zack Lewy kept things close all night, but got a break with less than 20 seconds remaining. Kyle Papke was looking for his second goal of the night when he skated in the Wolves? zone around defenders and deked past Lewy, only to lose the puck while attempting to go backhand on the goaltender.
BU out-shot Clarkston 29-12 and Lewy had 27 saves for Clarkston including several stops at point-blank range.
‘I thought he played well, he saved us and he put us in a position to win the game,? Clarkston coach Bryan Krygier said.
‘He pretty much got us the tie. He allowed our players to stay in the game and I’m glad our players responded to what the goalie did for them’the players responded and helped Lewy get the tie.?
Clarkston got on the board first with 0:44 left in the first when Jeremy Voelker scored on a wrap-around shot. Papke evened things at 9:44 of the second with his 10th goal of the season.
BU coach Steve McIntyre said the biggest adjustment for his team was getting used to the large Olympic-size ice surface the Wolves play on.
‘The big ice makes a big difference in a game like this (because) we’re not used to playing on it. Guys got lost out there,? he said.
‘It’s a tough tie, but you’re on the road, you want to get at least one point and we did.?
With the tie, BU remains in fourth place in OAA I.
‘In my mind, we’re one of the top teams, we just have to start playing like it,? McIntyre said.
The Wolves switched up their attack with good results, Krygier said.
‘We changed our forecheck and went to a 1-2-2 with more passing and created a lot of opportunities we didn’t capitalize on with cross-ice passes and point blank shots,? he said.
Clarkston has two more OAA games this week, taking on North Farmington at Farmington Ice Arena on Wednesday and at Detroit Skating Club Saturday for a home game against Farmington.
Thursday’s game against East Lansing has been rescheduled to Feb. 15 to accommodate a scheduling conflict. The game is scheduled at the Wolves? home arena, DSC, in Bloomfield Hills.