Rochester Hills, St. Clair Shores

Rochester United scores early and often in road victory against St. Clair Shores

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Mike Moore Rochester's Frank Scheff breaks in on goal late in the first period. He was stopped on this play, but scored later in the night during Rochester's 9-0 win. Photo by Mike Moore Rochester's Frank Scheff breaks in on goal late in the first period. He was stopped on this play, but scored later in the night during Rochester's 9-0 win.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — In a road game, playing against a young team that’s been struggling, Craig Staskowski wanted a quick start from his guys.

He got it.

And then some.

The Rochester United hockey team opened the scoring less than two minutes into the first period Wednesday night against St. Clair Shores Unified and eventually rolled to a 9-0 victory.

“It was good to get a win,” Staskowski said. “We know that’s a team struggling a bit, but we had to go out and take care of our own business. I was glad to see our guys do that.”

Kevin Kurzeja opened the scoring at 1:58 of the first period. Michael Pelino notched a power-play goal at the 5:48 mark, followed by a Ryan Bradley tally moments later. Pelino scored his second of the game before the period ended and Rochester led 4-0.

Drew Harm scored three minutes into the second to make it 5-0.

Frank Scheff, Alex Shell, Jimmy Pittell and Kurzeja all added goals, and the game was called after the second expired.

“We just didn’t show up to play,” Lakers coach Russ DiCristofaro said. “The effort wasn’t there for some reason. We’re dealing with kids that are young and inexperienced, and it was one of those nights. … We knew we were up against, and we didn’t show up.”

Rochester improves to 10-5-1 on the season.

“More than anything, it’s nice to see a bunch of guys get on the score sheet,” Staskowski added. “We had some guys fighting it, and going into next week with some big league games, this was one we needed.”

Rochester hosts Birmingham United Friday at 8 p.m., then faces Stoney Creek Saturday night at 8:30 p.m.

Shores, now 4-13-0, welcomes Monroe St. Mary’s Catholic Central to town Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

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