Troy

Athens hockey wins wild one at home, beats Waterford Mott 7-5 as Gurzell scores five

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Patricia O'Blenes Kosta Karabetsos (15) tries to slip the puck past Waterford Mott's goalie in a Nov. 21 home game. Athens went on to win the game 7-5. Photo by Patricia O'Blenes Kosta Karabetsos (15) tries to slip the puck past Waterford Mott's goalie in a Nov. 21 home game. Athens went on to win the game 7-5.

TROY — The first two games of the season were lopsided, one going in their favor, the other, not so much.

On Wednesday night, the guys on the Troy Athens hockey team finally had one go to the end, and on the heels of five goals by Nathan Gurzell, escaped with a 7-5 victory against Waterford Mott.

“It’s good to get a win like this,” coach Joe Barone said after the game at Troy Sports Center. “We had to fight and play a pretty good team all the way through. It was a three-period game that we needed to be a part of.”

Gurzell got his first of the game early in the first, only to see Mott tie things shortly after.

Cory Faw and Dylan Cotora added one goal each. and Athens led 3-1 after one.

Mott scored the first two of the second period, though, tying the game at 3-3.

Gurzell notched his second and third of the game, only to have Mott tie it each time in the middle frame.

The teams were tied 5-5 in the third before Gurzell scored his final two goals roughly three minuets apart.

“It was a crazy game, with a lot of odd bounces,” Barone said with a laugh. “And the score doesn’t say it, but the goalies played really well.”

As for Gurzell and his five-goal effort?

“Nathan was great,” Barone said. “He’s the kind of guy that has to carry this team, and he certainly did that tonight.”

Athens (2-1) is back in action Nov. 23 at 3:15 p.m. against Airport Flatrock at the Troy Sports Center.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038. Follow Mike on Twitter.