A late turnover in Clarkston’s own zone led to the deciding goal in a 2-1 loss to arch-rival Lake Orion.
‘We gave them the game on that turnover,? lamented Clarkston Hockey head coach Bryan Krygier, Saturday night. ‘Other than that we played okay, but that goal was the difference.?
Leading up to the third period goal, the Wolves carried the momentum.
Despite getting outshot 12-4 in the first period, Clarkston went into intermission with a 1-0 lead, courtesy of an Adam Frank goal.
Frank, after his initial shot sailed wide, jammed in the rebound to give the Wolves a 1-0 lead with 1:08 remaining in the period.
Clarkston continued the momentum into the second period, as an early Lake Orion penalty put them on the power play. Despite peppering Lake Orion goalie Shawn Horton with four shots while having a man advantage, the Wolves couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity.
Clarkston remained in control for most of the second period until a penalty on Chad Watton put Lake Orion on a power play.
With thirty seconds left on the advantage, senior Corey Hodge tied the game off a rebound for the Dragons.
The game went back and forth in the third period, until Clarkston made the crucial mistake with just over 11 minutes remaining in the game. Following a Lake Orion shot, Clarkston controlled the possession, but an errant cross-ice pass was intercepted by Lake Orion senior Zach Koonce.
Koonce’s initial shot was stopped by Clarkston goalie Jon Williams. However, Koonce stuffed in the rebound to put Lake Orion ahead by a goal.
The Wolves had their own opportunities to score in the final minutes, the best coming with three minutes remaining on a Travis Hargett breakaway that Horton stopped.
A frantic final minute of the game saw offsetting penalties on both teams following a Clarkston opportunity in front of the net.
Following the game, Krygier expressed frustration with how it ended.
‘I don’t usually complain about the officials, but tonight the refs were mediocre at best. They called interference on us all night, and didn’t call it on them it at the end. That’s poor officiating,? he said. ‘Lake Orion did the basic things tonight. They worked hard, pushed the puck, and took advantage of our mistakes.?
Clarkston falls to 5-7 with the loss.They added their fifth season win on Jan. 13 after beating North Farmington, 5-3.
Two goals from Jack Schlau and Brad Pizzey kept the boys in the lead, but by the end of the second period North Farmington tied the score.
Adam Frank brought the boys back into the lead less than four minutes into the final period and two goals from Dillion Drayer sealed the Wolves win. The boys made 35 shots on goal and Alec Gildner saved 22 shots.
The Wolves are back in action Thursday night, as they take on Birmingham at the Detroit Skate Club at 5:30 pm.