Earlier this week, the Varsity Hockey team traveled some 20 minutes south for a friendly game with the Novi High Wildcats (what team? Wildcats!). Novi's KLAA schedule is a demanding one with losses to top 10 teams Brighton, Hartland, Livonia Stevenson along with a non-league game vs undefeated Houghton. So it goes without saying the 'Cats were not intimidated by LHS' 13-0 record.

Coach Ronayne: "Novi is a stout team with tough opponents. This game is a real test and we hope the boys did their homework."

Just two minutes after puck drop, junior Brennan Grant carried the puck along the near boards faking his shot then letting it go to beat the Novi goaltender Andre Morais (assist to #7 Elliot Smith). Three minutes later Grant's line teamed up for their second goal when Grant and Ryan Danielson battled two Novi defenders near their bench. Danielson came out with the puck, handed off to Grant who found Robby Lewis in the left slot. Lewis used a Novi D as screen and wristed the puck past Morais. Novi would pull within one after a noble end to end effort by #15 Charlie Lewinski. 2-1 after one.

Coach McElwee on #15 for Novi: "15 went through us like we were counter butter. He's big, strong and fast. Containing him was a priority."

The second period brought two more goals to the Eagles bounty. Senior Mitchell Beller let a slapper go from just inside the blue line. The puck found its way under Morais' blocker (assist to Brendan Day) to stretch the lead to two. Four minutes later the Eagles had sustained pressure in Novi's zone. Sophomore Joe Sesi ripped a puck low to net while fellow sophomore Joel Slicker lurked uncovered at the net to bang home a big fourth goal. A noise complaint was called in to the Novi township offices the next day due to Sesi's post-goal exuberance. 4-1 after two.

Novi would swap goalies (Henri Lettman) and pull back within two in the third when Lewinski was handed a gift wrapped puck in the high slot beating a surprised senior goalie Jason Slicker. The Eagles took a couple of penalties and gave Novi a one minute 5-3 advantage but PK held their ground and more. Junior Timmy Hinkle stole their thunder and the puck to go in alone on Lettman. Lettman made the initial save on Hinkle but he picked up his own rebound and found freshman Austin Scanlon maneuvering his way into the slot for his LVC best 26th assist. Scanlon neatly buried the puck and concluded the scoring for the night. 5-2 final.

Shots were even at 36 apiece but Slicker made three more saves than the Wildcat duo.

Coach Matt Busterna on the big win: "We've had some good practices lately and have not seen the same effort in games. They flipped the switch tonight and put in the same effort we see at practice."