Senior goalie Jack Viazanko put his first shutout of the season in the books as he blocked 44 shots from Northville from getting into the net.
It was his second game in the net. For his first game, he blocked 35 of Berkley’s 38 shots as the Clarkston Hockey team tied their OAA Red game, 3-3.
With 94 shots against him in his first 127 minutes of play for his finals season creates pressure. But it’s the pressure he enjoys as goalie.
‘It is a love/hate relationship with the pressure,? he said. ‘But that pressure is something you can’t get in other positions. You are the only goalie on the ice for your team. The game can be decided on by a goalie.?
He doesn’t just block opponents? shots but has viewpoint of the whole ice to help his teammates out. He can let them know if a player is on them.
‘I let them know what they can’t see so when they get the puck they can turn and make a decision quickly,? Viazanko added. ‘It helps the defense.?
His personal goal for the season is to have a save average over 90 percent and have less than two goals scored on him per game.
Viazanko began playing hockey when he was 8-years-old.
‘Growing up my family was big Detroit Red Wings fans,? he explained. ‘Once I got older and it was time to pick a sport hockey stood out to me. It has always been a love for me.?
He took his spot in the net when he was 10-years-old when the goalie on the team quit in halway through the season.
‘Our team was desperate,? he remembered. ‘My dad asked me ‘do you want to give it a shot?? I said, why not? I have loved it ever since.?
Viazanko plans to go into financing and business and was accepted to Michigan State University and is awaiting word from University of Michigan.
‘I have always been a strong math student,? he explained. ‘Numbers come easy to me. Business is something I think I can utilize. I also like to work with people. With the personality traits I have business will be good for me.?
He will continue playing hockey depending on if he receives any offers.
When he is not playing hockey or studying he enjoys working out in the gym with his dad as well as attending Clarkston sporting events.
‘I am just trying to enjoy my senior year and living it to the fullest,? Viazanko added.
His advice for aspiring is to work hard in the moment.
‘It is already my senior year and I feel like yesterday was my first year on the team,? he added. ‘It has flown by. Even if it seems like your sports career is going nowhere work as hard as you can because you never know who is watching.?