OAK PARK — The Clarkston Varsity Hockey team faced a tough test in their 3-2 overtime loss to Brother Rice at Oak Park Arena, Jan. 14
“Since the new year we have been playing really good hockey,” said Nathan Bryer, head coach for Clarkston. “The reality is we’re playing really good top ten hockey teams and good teams capitalize on small breakdowns. It’s that time of the year when all top teams are playing their best. All of our 20 players are playing well every game and it comes down to those little details which get glorified in those games.”
Wolves forward Gavin Anderson took the first bite by taking a fast break pass that started from net minder Calum Hartner up to George Walker.
Walker’s snap pass to Anderson allowed him to break in from the right side and beat Warrior goalie Jude Manly for the Wolves opening goal.
The lone score stood through the end of the first period. The Warriors outshot Clarkston 12-10 for the first period.
Warrior Cameron George knotted the score at 1-1 at 11:50 remaining in the second period.
Anderson capitalized again on an aggressive forecheck, intercepting a Warrior outlet pass and driving home a top shelf blast over the shoulder of Manly to regain the lead at 8:05 of the second period.
Warrior Nick Prisby, knotted the score at 2-2 with less than four minutes left in the period, beating Hartner on a low corner shot. The Wolves outshot the Warriors by three, 11-8, in the second period.
The third period was scoreless for both teams as Hartner saved 12 shots Brother Rice made on the Wolves’ goal. Manly denied Clarkston’s 11 from going into the net, sending the game into overtime.
During overtime, Wolf Brayden Wegner intercepted a Warrior pass, breaking in from the left side, but Manley denied the shot.
With just 1.09 remaining in the overtime period, Warrior Zack Staelgraeve picked up a loose rebound and netted the winner for Brother Rice.
“Calum has done a great job,” said Bryer, adding Brady Damian has been out the last few games due to an injury. “We hope to depend on both of them down the stretch.”
The Wolves (7-8-1, 4-0 OAA Red) host M-1 Unified this Thursday at the Detroit Skating Club, 6 p.m.
They travel to play the Bulldogs at Biggby Coffee Ice Cube in Brighton on Friday, 6:30 p.m.; and to the John Lindell Ice Arena in Royal Oak to play M-1 Unified on Saturday, 5 p.m.
-Jack Leech