Ross, Pappas help Brandon icers remain undefeated

The Brandon hockey team just keeps on rolling.
Mike Ross and Joel Pappas scored two goals each as the Blackhawks remained undefeated on the season with a 6-0 win at host Linden Dec. 19. David Hughes made 24 saves for Brandon (7-0).
After a scoreless first period, the Blackhawks erupted for three goals in the first five minutes of the second. Ross kicked off the scoring with 14:49 left in the second on an assist from Pappas, and Stephen Tallman followed up with 13:52 left on assists from Mike Cybulski and Kyle Jackson. Pappas then connected with 10:21 left on an assist from Ross.
Ross wrapped up the scoring in the second period with 16.5 seconds left on assists from Brian Quarrella and Brandon Newman.
Brandon’s two third-period goals were as follows: Cybulski scored on assists from Jackson and Tallman with 13:48 left in the period, and Pappas scored his second of the game on an assist from Ross with 12:52 left.
The Blackhawks had their hands full with Oxford in the first quarter of their Dec. 17 contest, but exploded in the second and third periods on their way to a 7-3 win at the Polar Palace in Lapeer. Ross scored a hat trick to lead Brandon to the win.
The Wildcats took the lead at 13:49 of the first period, taking advantage of a high-sticking penalty against Brandon’s Quarrella as forward J.T. Anderson scored on assists from defenseman Kyle Ignagni and forward Johnny Thompson.
Brandon answered at 11:17 of the first as Cybulski scored on an assist from Tallman. However, Oxford scored twice more in the next four minutes to take a 3-1 lead.
The Blackhawks tallied one more goal in the first, as Ross scored his first goal on assists from Newman and Pappas at 7:34 of the first to cut the Wildcats? lead to 3-2.
From there, Brandon dominated the contest, scoring four goals in the second to take command of the game. Ross tallied his second goal of the game at 13:09 of the second period on assists from Chris Nuccio and Pappas. Troy Nuccio put the Blackhawks in front 4-3 as he scored at 11:14 of the second on assists from Scotty Steudle and Scott Thurman.
Ross then completed his hat trick, scoring an unassisted goal at 3:13 of the second. Jackson followed with another unassisted goal at 2:03 of the second to put the Blackhawks up 6-3 as the period closed.
Pappas wrapped up the game’s scoring at 5:12 of the third on assists from Ross and Alex Hockey.
The Blackhawks return to action Friday, Jan. 9 when they host Lapeer West in an 8:30 p.m. contest.