By Mike Stechschulte
Assignment Writer

The Oxford Ice Hockey team got a 4-2 victory on Saturday against former conference champion Goodrich. The Wildcats improved their record to 6-5-1.
Oxford started off the game with a tight defense until Goodrich opened the scoring in the first period. Clearly not phased, Oxford quickly answered with a goal by J.T. Anderson. The Wildcats scored again when Brandon Stevens put the puck past Goodrich’s All-State goaltender Briscoe making the score 2-1 at the end of first period.
Everything was going the Wildcat’s way in the second period: Kyle Ignagni rifled a shot past Briscoe putting Oxford up 3-1.
Early in the third, Goodrich scored a goal that was disallowed after a Martian player kicked the puck into the Oxford net past goaltender Brian Beaupied. Goodrich continued to press hard in the third, but Oxford’s defense held its ground.
Halfway through the third, Oxford’s Sean Degler was given a five minute major penalty for high sticking after the butt end of his stick jabbed into the throat of Goodrich’s Scott Hollingsworth. Hollingsworth appeared to be badly hurt and was removed from the floor to the locker room.
Only a brief 12 seconds later a Martian took a slapshot from the inside blueline that beat Beaupied along the ice to make the score 3-2.
Just when it looked like the Martians could tie up the game, Brian Beaupied made a glove save and drew a penalty after a Goodrich player made a passing jab at him.
“I kind of stuck my glove out a little bit hoping he would hit it,” said Beaupied.
With under a minute left in the game, Goodrich pulled their goalie for an extra skater. The attempt failed as Anderson scored his second goal into an empty net with three seconds left in the game.
The players were certainly happy about beating a team that was considered to be one of the best in the league.
“We played a really good game,” said defenseman Paul Weis. “Out defense was solid and Beaupied played really well.”
Before the game, head coach Jeff Wolanin stressed to his players the importance of staying out of the penalty box. Already the team was short forward Rob Szczepankowski, who was suspended for one game because of penalties during the Oxford-Lapeer West game. In all, the Wildcats received a total of six penalties against the Martians.