BY ED DAVIS
Clarkston News Sports Writer
It’s hard to imagine the Clarkston varsity ice hockey team playing much better than it is now, but the Wolves still have to step it up some if they want their season to continue.
After breezing through their regional with wins over Gladwin, Traverse City St. Francis and Traverse City West by a combined score of 28-2, the Wolves are setting their sights on the state title once more. Clarkston wrapped up its second consecutive regional title by beating the Titans 8-1 at the Bay County Civic Ice Arena March 6. Last year the Wolves fell in the state championship game, but senior Steve Morin, coming off a hat trick against Traverse City West, said he will do everything to make sure the Wolves don’t fall short this year.
‘This isn’t anything. We’re going for states this year. We’re only halfway through so far. We got a lot more work to do,? Morin said.
Morin was seemingly everywhere on the ice, scoring the game’s opening goal off assists from Griffin Cummings and Kyle Buzzo. Morin then assisted on the next goal, a power play goal from Buzzo, which was also assisted by Adam Peters. Peters also recorded a goal in the third period to put Clarkston up by three goals. Mike Zak and Matt Prasil drew the assists. Buzzo had two assists on the night while Morin added a shorthanded goal midway through the third period to put the Wolves up 6-1. Clarkston goalie Aaron Catanese had 27 saves to help the Wolves improve their record to 19-4-4.
Clarkston head coach Bryan Krygier said Morin’s performance was by no means unique to one game, nor was he alone in his strong play.
‘Steve Morin’s been a huge asset the last 10 games of the season,? Krygier said. ‘He’s sparked the team by getting some huge goals ? shorthanded goals, power play goals. I mean, he’s scoring from everywhere. Mike Fogg has been doing very well and Adam Peters has been doing very well. As long as we keep focusing on our defensive zone, those guys will continue to score goals.?
Clarkston came out strong in the first period, outshooting the Titans 21-10. Traverse City West scored on a shorthanded breakaway at 9:53 of the second period to cut Clarkston’s lead to 3-1, which came off a turnover at Clarkston’s blue line. However, the Wolves came out strong in the final period scoring three goals in the first eight minutes putting the game out of reach.
Morin said his team never panicked. ‘We knew there was 15 minutes left of hard work so we just came out and took care of business,? Morin said.
Krygier agreed that the mistake did not rattle his team. ‘We had three guys at the blue line trying to make a play and when you pass the puck laterally across the blue line in the offensive zone, I mean that’s a no-no. Plus, we’re on the power play. But we responded and that’s the main thing, especially when you’re in playoffs, is that you have to respond. And our guys responded and I think that’s why we won.?
Clarkston’s next opponent will be Marquette, who got past Escanaba and Negaunee in their region. The Wolves did not play the Redmen this year, but Krygier’s team has had an opportunity to look at them earlier this season. Clarkston saw them play in the showcase in Trenton back in December.
‘They’re a good, disciplined team. They usually end up in the semifinals every single year. They have a very good team. When it comes down to one game we have to make sure we do the proper things out there. We have to be disciplined and we have to make the right decisions. Hopefully we have some goals left that we can put in the net since we’ve scored so many here in the first three games,? Krygier said with a rare smile.
About a third of this year’s Clarkston roster was on last year’s team, which has only five seniors. But Krygier is confident his team’s prior experience will pay dividends for the rest of the Wolves? playoff run.
‘I think some of the older guys ? Morin, Peters, Cummings and Buzzo, they’re leading by example. They’re not only saying do this or do that, but they’re doing it themselves and then the other guys normally follow.?
Wednesday’s game against Marquette will also be played at the Bay County Civic Ice Arena. If the Wolves win their next game will be Friday at Plymouth’s Compuware Arena, as will be the state finals. Krygier believes his team is peaking at the right time.
‘I think we’re pretty much at the top right now. Goals come when you take care of the defensive zone. When you get to this point, when it’s only a one game series it can go either way. But it (against Marquette) should be a good game,? he said.
Morin agreed saying, ‘We kind of wish we had some stiff competition (in the regional) because we know this next game (against Marquette) isn’t going to be easy at all.?