- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,152,127
- Reaction score
- 59
Plymouth Township – The nerves were high in USA Hockey Arena Saturday, as the Division 2 state finals saw a rematch from last year’s title game between reigning champion Flint Powers Catholic and Livonia Stevenson.
Powers Catholic came out on top again, defeating Stevenson 4-1. The game was physical and aggressive, and Powers Catholic was able to take advantage of a number of Stevenson penalties.
The first period felt like the high-stakes rematch that it was, with both teams coming out with stout defense and a quick-paced attack. Powers Catholic was able to make the first attack at the goal, but Stevenson responded, limiting quality scoring chances.
BOX SCORE: Flint Powers Catholic 4, Livonia Stevenson 1
Both teams had a pair of power plays to use to their advantage, but neither offense could really get anything going. That was until two consecutive Stevenson tripping penalties put Powers Catholic in a 5-on-3 advantage, which opened up the net for the scoring to begin.
As the period was 15 seconds to closing, Parker Bendall found an open Owen Perry, giving Powers Catholic the 1-0 lead heading into the intermission.
The defense by Powers Catholic was what stood out the most to head coach Travis Perry, however, noting how important it would be to complement an already strong offense.
“Our forte this year has been scoring goals,” Perry said. “We knew we were going to have to come down here at some point and play a couple gritty games. I thought our group as a defensive unit and our goaltending was great.”
Tensions started to flare in the second period, with nearly 17 minutes with either team in a power-play situation. Six minutes in, Gavin Vorwerk was able to take advantage of a Stevenson roughing to score on a power play once more and gain a 2-0 lead. The Stevenson penalties would be the story of the match.
An early third-period goal from Stevenson’s Dawson Wallis sparked a push of momentum that teased a comeback, but it never quite materialized.
In the midst of the Stevenson push, play was stopped as Powers Catholic goaltender Hunter Clark appeared to be injured, but he managed to stay in the game despite the wear and tear.
Clark’s resiliency despite the apparent injury might have been the saving grace for Powers Catholic in the middle of the Stevenson run, as Clark immediately had two big saves in the net to move the game back into the reigning champions' favor. Clark ended the game with 21 saves.
“The third period was tilted pretty heavily in (Stevenson’s) favor,” Perry said. “They got one early, which you never want. But Clark, he stood on his head when he needed to. He played every single game this year, every single minute of the season. He was a rock right there for us.”
From that point forward, Powers Catholic had complete control of the game and managed to add a deeper cushion to its lead. Ethan Haley scored an empty-net goal to make it 3-1, and Mr. Hockey prospect Ayden Cook topped it off with a goal of his own for the final score.
Having tasted the victory last year, the goal was always to try to repeat, but Perry noted how much the team has improved as the leadership grew.
“Our program has changed dramatically over the last few years,” Perry said. “It’s not about the wins or the losses, but the mentality. Now we know we can compete. We have the players, a great coaching staff and we know we can compete.”
Doug Doty is a freelance writer.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Flint Powers upends Livonia Stevenson, repeats as Division 2 hockey champion in Michigan
Continue reading...
Powers Catholic came out on top again, defeating Stevenson 4-1. The game was physical and aggressive, and Powers Catholic was able to take advantage of a number of Stevenson penalties.
The first period felt like the high-stakes rematch that it was, with both teams coming out with stout defense and a quick-paced attack. Powers Catholic was able to make the first attack at the goal, but Stevenson responded, limiting quality scoring chances.
BOX SCORE: Flint Powers Catholic 4, Livonia Stevenson 1
Both teams had a pair of power plays to use to their advantage, but neither offense could really get anything going. That was until two consecutive Stevenson tripping penalties put Powers Catholic in a 5-on-3 advantage, which opened up the net for the scoring to begin.
As the period was 15 seconds to closing, Parker Bendall found an open Owen Perry, giving Powers Catholic the 1-0 lead heading into the intermission.
The defense by Powers Catholic was what stood out the most to head coach Travis Perry, however, noting how important it would be to complement an already strong offense.
“Our forte this year has been scoring goals,” Perry said. “We knew we were going to have to come down here at some point and play a couple gritty games. I thought our group as a defensive unit and our goaltending was great.”
Tensions started to flare in the second period, with nearly 17 minutes with either team in a power-play situation. Six minutes in, Gavin Vorwerk was able to take advantage of a Stevenson roughing to score on a power play once more and gain a 2-0 lead. The Stevenson penalties would be the story of the match.
An early third-period goal from Stevenson’s Dawson Wallis sparked a push of momentum that teased a comeback, but it never quite materialized.
In the midst of the Stevenson push, play was stopped as Powers Catholic goaltender Hunter Clark appeared to be injured, but he managed to stay in the game despite the wear and tear.
Clark’s resiliency despite the apparent injury might have been the saving grace for Powers Catholic in the middle of the Stevenson run, as Clark immediately had two big saves in the net to move the game back into the reigning champions' favor. Clark ended the game with 21 saves.
“The third period was tilted pretty heavily in (Stevenson’s) favor,” Perry said. “They got one early, which you never want. But Clark, he stood on his head when he needed to. He played every single game this year, every single minute of the season. He was a rock right there for us.”
From that point forward, Powers Catholic had complete control of the game and managed to add a deeper cushion to its lead. Ethan Haley scored an empty-net goal to make it 3-1, and Mr. Hockey prospect Ayden Cook topped it off with a goal of his own for the final score.
Having tasted the victory last year, the goal was always to try to repeat, but Perry noted how much the team has improved as the leadership grew.
“Our program has changed dramatically over the last few years,” Perry said. “It’s not about the wins or the losses, but the mentality. Now we know we can compete. We have the players, a great coaching staff and we know we can compete.”
Doug Doty is a freelance writer.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Flint Powers upends Livonia Stevenson, repeats as Division 2 hockey champion in Michigan
Continue reading...
