GOODRICH- The Martian Hockey team skated through two tough games last week.
On Saturday, Jan. 11, Goodrich hosted visiting Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central. What ensued as the game progressed was more fighting than fighting for the puck.
Nearly one third of the players on both teams spent more time in the penalty box than on the ice. But the Martians struggled to hold their composure through the game, and walked away more gracious than their winning opponents.
In the 2-1 loss to Nouvel, Lance Keene was Goodrich’s lone goal scorer. His shot was assisted by Matt Hill and Phil Holloway.
Robert Briscoe really saw the action of the night, stopping 48 of 50 shots on goal.
“It was a brutal game against Nouvel,” Coach Bob Briscoe said. “It was upsetting and dissappointing to have a game with such a lack of sportsmanship. Even the parents were bad.”
After the gauntlet was thrown on Saturday, the Martians faced Wednesday’s game against Lapeer West, almost timidly.
“We should’ve had the game,” Goodrich team Captain Nick Coates said. “We were definitely holding back, something was missing.”
The lack of aggression for Martians manifested in a lack of goals, as they were shutout by the Panthers, 1-0.
“We didn’t want to get too excited,” Briscoe said. “We didn’t capitalize on our chances.”
The Martians record dropped to 8-5-0 for the season.
Looking back to Jan. 8, the Martians took on Bay City John Glenn and grabbed win number eight, victorious 8-2.
Jeff Wandell and Keene each came away with a hat-trick, while Holloway and team Captain Kyle Makidon each put in one.
Ryan Mortimer got two assists, while Hill was credited with three. Coates, Ryan Kot, Holloway, Makidon, Brian Harris, Nick Meyers and Sean Brigham each added an assist.
Next the Martians look forward to league rivals the Oxford Wildcats, whom they face on Saturday, Jan. 18.
“We really need to get focused as a team,” Briscoe said. “West and Oxford are both important league games for us. Oxford was the only team in the league to beat us last season, and they tied with West 4-4 this year. We’ll see.”
“The Oxford game is going to be tough,” Coates added. “But we are fired up as a team. We are working on our discipline and we’ll be ready.”
Goodrich and Oxford face off at the Lapeer Polar Palace at 7:15 p.m.
Next up, the Martians return to Ice Mountain to take on Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.