The Dragon hockey squad scored five goals on Saturday night.
Their opponent, Troy Athens, had only four shots on net.
Using that formula, Lake Orion is certain to have some success in the MHSAA playoffs, which began this week (see this web edition of The Review for updates).
The Dragons won 5-0 to finish their regular season at 19-3-1 overall and 14-1-1 in OAA II play.
The team had already wrapped up the league title, so Saturday’s game was more of a celebration.
‘We didn’t have to say much,? Coach Pat Cherry said of motivating his team. ‘Tonight was about having a celebration and getting everyone equal time.?
Lake Orion’s 29 points were four better than second place Troy. Athens, meanwhile fell to 1-15 in the league.
‘It was not easy to win the league with having nine teams,? Cherry said. ‘It’s hard to bring your best game every night.?
The Dragons have not lost in over a month (nine games), since a 3-2 setback to Waterford Kettering on Jan. 25.
Their resume also includes a victory over OAA I Waterford Mott and a tie against state-ranked Birmingham United.
‘I think we’ve proven we can play with any of those OAA I teams,? Cherry said.
He said their effort against Athens was far from their best of the season, but it shows how far the program has come to win handily on ‘an off-night.?
Fittingly, a pair of seniors opened the scoring on ‘senior night,? when Kevin Latshaw scored just 41 seconds in, on an assist from Brian Krauss.
Kevin Kranker, another senior, scored the first of his two goals later in the period with LO down a man.
Drew McLane and Brad Berschbach also scored for the Dragons, who held Athens to only one shot in the second period and without a shot in the third.
All three Dragon net minders saw action in the game, with senior Max Cookinham getting the start and win.
The team celebrated the league championship with some brand-new hats after the game.
Cherry said the first half of the year was a learning experience for both him and the team.
‘I didn’t know our identity until after the Christmas break,? he said. ‘We started to focus more on defense.?
The squad hasn’t allowed more than three goals in a game so far in 2007.
‘We’ve had some injuries, but we haven’t let that bother us,? Cherry noted.
The coach said his team has lost Scott Johnson and Matt Milliman for the remainder of the season.
But Latshaw and Jimmy Ruwart are recent returns; giving the Dragons some added firepower for what they hope will be a long playoff run.
‘We’ll just focus on each team one game at a time, but our goal is to win a regional championship,? Cherry said.