Hockey night in Canada it was not, however, Zack Lewy did his best Patrick Roy impression in a close OAA match Saturday night.
Lewy’s performance kept Clarkston in the game against Rochester Hills Stoney Creek on Dec. 9 at the Onyx Ice Arena in Rochester. Despite the net-minder’s 26 saves however, the Cougars overcame the Wolves? surge to hold on to its one-goal lead and a 2-1 victory over their OAA competitors.
Clarkston Coach Bryan Krygier said the team performed well in the loss and Lewy’s play in goal for the Wolves gave them a better chance to win.
‘He played better (and) kept us in the game,? Krygier said.
‘Our goaltenders have to keep us in the game so we can either be up one goal or tied going into the last two or three minutes, so we can get a win and that’s our goaltender’s job, to get us to that point.?
The Cougars doubled Clarkston’s shot output 28-14 for the game.
Late in the second period, with Clarkston leading 1-0, and Eric Salo serving a two-minute bid for high-sticking, Stoney Creek bridged the scoring gap. Andrew Craig scored with three minutes remaining to tie up the contest.
The teams, going to the third period, tied 1-1, which helped the Wolves stay focused.
‘Because we’re going into the third period knowing we can win the game, so the guys aren’t depressed in the locker room,? Krygier said.
‘They’re a little more upbeat and into the game more.?
The Wolves were part of a wild third period, with physical play and few play stoppages. Early on though, the Cougars capitalized on a well-executed play to net the game winner. Jason Rewold took a centering pass from Patrick Parthum, beating Lewy and putting Stoney Creek up for good 2-1 only 30 seconds in.
‘It was a beautiful textbook play starting in our end,? said Cougars Coach Shawn Penn.
‘They (Clarkston) worked hard and never gave up. We out-shot them pretty good in the second period and they came right back out in the third ready to play,? Penn said.
Rewold’s winner came on a quick change of the lineup, Penn said.
‘I think it really took the wind out of their sail when we scored on the first shift of the third period (but) they didn’t give up at all.?
Stoney Creek (5-0-1) remains unbeaten and moves to 3-0 in the OAA with the win. Clarkston (1-5-1) is now 0-3 for league contests.
Jeremy Voelker scored for Clarkston with 10:43 left in the second period, with his third attempt to put back a Ryan Kenerson shot.
The Wolves employed a quick-dump strategy to alleviate pressure in its own zone. The Wolves were clearing the puck quickly to keep it from the Cougars.
Krygier said the team mastering that tactic amongst other things is a positive sign for the young squad.
‘We’ve seen some incremental increases in our play and we have to set those goals. By the middle of January, if we continue to play like this and continue to work hard, we’ll start to get some of these wins,? he said.
The Wolves? next game is against Cranbrook at 5 p.m. on Dec. 15 at Detroit Skating Club, as the opening round of the annual Christmas Tournament the school hosts. The team is also scheduled to play the following day, but a time has not been determined. DSC is located at 888 Denison Court in Bloomfield Hills.