Wednesday, the Varsity Hockey team defeated a top-10 opponent, 2-1, to remain unbeaten for the season. See recap below...and remember, tonight is the Clash for a Cause game at LIA.

Lakeland @ Flint Powers 2023-01-18

Thanks to a scheduling gaffe the Eagles picked up a game against top 10 team Flint Powers. Coming off a big win the night before against Novi the 14-0 Eagles headed up I-75 to see what they had left in the tank.

Coach Tim Ronayne: "Powers is a great program and we're fortunate they had an opening for us. We want to play top teams and #6 overall in the state? What more can we ask for?"

What more? Certainly not a better start from Junior goalie Paul Baker as the Chargers stormed out of the gate in the first several minutes. Lakeland found their footing and had half a dozen solid scoring chances of their own in the period. Neither goalie blinked. 0-0 after one.

The second period picked up where the first left off. Play was up and down the ice with both teams trading chances. Lakeland was put at a one man disadvantage. One minute into the PK Junior Elliot Smith intercepted a bouncing puck and laced a perfect pass to Luke Weinberger. Weinberger walked in alone on the Powers' goal tender, faked to his backhand causing the goalie to slowly tip over before pulling the puck to his forehand to tuck it in past the left skate for the shorty. Powers responded on their next powerplay with a neat play off of the faceoff to beat Baker from the top of the left circle. 1-1 after two.

Coach McElwee: "The last few minutes of the 2nd felt like we lost our focus defensively. If you stand around watching a team like Flint then you might was well be wearing snowshoes. But the team had played good aggressive D up until then and they dialed it back in for the third period."

Lakeland would score the only goal of the third period when Weinberger, Timmy Hinkle and Austin Scanlon connected for a goal-scorers tally. Weinberger made a badger-like carry to gain the zone. The puck bounced over to Hinkle on the high left side. Again it was Scanlon circling into the right spot and redirecting Hinkle's shot into the net. The Eagles withstood a furious onslaught for the last 10 minutes of the game capped off by an outstanding 6 on 5 effort by the Weinberger line. Hinkle and Scanlon picked off several passes in the neutral zone including an empty net backhand that missed by inches. 2-1 Eagles final score.

Coach Ronayne: "That was a complete game by our guys. Defensively the forwards took ownership and the D and goaltending keeps getting better with every game. A team win. Everybody contributed." Paul Baker was stellar in net turning back 32 of 33 shots. Baker is currently ranked second overall in the state with a .944 save percentage.