There were two things that were cold on Saturday, Jan. 9.
The weather and the Oxford Varsity Hockey team’s first period against Fenton.
The Wildcats surrendered four early goals and weren’t able to mount a comeback in the battle for first place in the Flint Metro League. The Wildcat’s lost 4-1.
Fenton used some lucky bounces and capitalized on some Wildcat turnovers to go ahead 4-0 after the opening period.
‘They were very odd bounces and odd goals,? said Head Coach Dave Hague. ‘We calmed down and controlled the play for the second and third. It was a good game and I liked our team in the second and third periods.?
Hague noted that the main problem that there was too much passing and not enough shooting.
The Wildcats only fired the puck at the net 27 times, well below their average of 39 per game. Fenton finished with 36 shots.
‘We had opportunities and several chances, but we didn’t shoot the puck enough. You can’t win when you don’t shoot the puck,? said Hague.
Senior Will Buday scored the Wildcats lone goal in the third period. He was assisted by Senior Matt Reid and Sophomore Nolan Chapman.
One of the things that he was going to work on was getting back to the fundamentals.
‘It kind of comes down to the fundamentals of the game. If you don’t shoot the puck your not going to get the goals,? he added. ‘Were just trying to play a little to fancy and we have to get back to shooting the puck.?
After the loss, the Wildcats drop to 8-3 overall and 5-1 in the FML.
The next game for the Wildcats is on Wednesday, Jan. 13 against Troy.