Brandon’s hockey team had little trouble with LakeVille in their regional playoff opener March 2.
Mike Ross scored five goals to lead the Blackhawks to a 10-0 win against the Falcons. Mike Cybulski added a goal and an assist for Brandon (18-4-3), who took on neighboring Goodrich in the regional semifinals Thursday, March 4.
In their last regular season game, the Blackhawks battled to a 3-3 tie against host Clinton Township Chippewa Valley. Brandon’s record now stands at 17-4-3.
Kyle Jackson’s goal with 5:28 left in the third period enabled the Blackhawks to forge the tie. Cybulski scored two first-period goals to put the Blackhawks up front 2-0 at the end of the period.
However, the Big Reds scored three straight goals, two in the second period and one with 10:17 left in the third, to take a 3-2 lead on the Blackhawks, setting the stage for Jackson’s game-tying goal.
In another non-league contest, the Blackhawks soundly defeated Auburn Hills Avondale 5-1.
Brandon took a 1-0 lead in the first period as Ross scored at 8:58 of the period on assists from Brian Quarrella and Joel Pappas.
The Blackhawks blew the game open with four goals in the second period, as Quarrella, Pappas, Stephen Tallman and Cybulski each lit the lamp.
Avondale scored their lone goal at 7:24 of the third period, as Jerry Blakey connected on an assist from Ryan Kline.
Brandon goalie David Hughes stopped 14-of-15 shots (93.3 percent).