Hockey

Published March 1, 2016

C&G Newspapers

Royal Oak High, Grosse Pointe South to face off in MHSAA Division 2 hockey pre-regional

Royal Oak High had the weekend to celebrate clinching the first-ever league title in program history.

Now, it's back to business.

Published February 26, 2016

Royal Oak Review

Royal Oak High hockey wins share of OAA White title

ROYAL OAK — For the first time in the history of the school's hockey program, the Royal Oak Ravens are league champions.

Royal Oak defeated Birmingham Unified 6-4 on Feb. 26 to win its first-ever Oakland Activities Association White Division title, which it shares with Troy High.

Published February 24, 2016

Troy Times

A quick look at the opening rounds of hockey playoffs in Troy

TROY — There are still a few games to be played in the regular season, but in just a few short days, the guarantee of tomorrow’s practice or next week’s big game will be a thing of the past.

On Feb. 29, the state playoffs begin in hockey, and for local teams, it’s all about winning or going home.

Here’s a quick look at those opening-round tilts.

Published February 24, 2016

Royal Oak Review

Royal Oak High hockey hopes to make history

ROYAL OAK — Royal Oak High hockey is in a position to claim its first league title in program history.

If the Ravens win Feb. 24’s showdown against Birmingham Unified, which takes place at 8 p.m. at John Lindell Ice Arena, they will share the Oakland Activities Association White Division crown with Troy High (16-5-1, 9-1 OAA White). Royal Oak (17-5-1, 8-1 OAA White) defeated the Colts 4-2 in its most recent contest on Feb. 20, putting its OAA White title hopes in its own hands.

Published February 24, 2016

Woodward Talk

Berkley hockey prepared for playoff run, no matter the opponent

BERKLEY — The long grind is almost complete.

The marathon that is the regular season is nearly in the books for the Berkley Unified hockey team.

And as the 2016 postseason officially drops the puck Feb. 29, the Bears will have to sit back, watch and wait.

Berkley is hosting a Division 2 pre-regional at the Berkley Ice Arena, but drew an opening-round bye and won’t play until 7 p.m. March 3 against the winner of the Grosse Pointe South-Royal Oak High game, set for 7 p.m. March 1.

Published February 22, 2016

C&G Newspapers

Royal Oak High Hockey looks to secure share of OAA White crown

Royal Oak High hockey could accomplish a program first if it wins against Birmingham Unified on Feb. 26.

If Royal Oak (17-5-1, 8-1 Oakland Activities Association White) were to defeat Birmingham (7-13-2, 3-5-1 OAA White), it would be named the White co-champions with Troy High. The Ravens have never won a league title.

Published February 20, 2016

C&G Newspapers

Explosive second period, strong goaltending lift Royal Oak High over Troy High

TROY—With a 4-2 win against Troy High Feb. 20, Royal Oak High's hockey team is one step closer to accomplishing something that hasn't been achieved in the history of the school's hockey program — winning a league title.

The victory over Troy puts Royal Oak in a position to control its own destiny in the Oakland Activities Association White division. If Royal Oak (17-5-1, 8-1 OAA White) defeats Birmingham Unified on Feb. 24, it will share the OAA White crown with Troy (16-5-1, 9-1 OAA White).

Published February 18, 2016

West Bloomfield Beacon

St. Mary’s and other local teams set to embark on hockey and hoops playoffs

ORCHARD LAKE — Compared to recent years and recent opening-round draws, a first glance at the 2016 playoffs would suggest a relatively easy path for the Orchard Lake St. Mary’s hockey team.

Coach Brian Klanow would suggest otherwise.

“You never know. I mean, the playoffs can be a crazy time,” Klanow said last week. “We faced a struggling Birmingham team a few years ago and had to go to double overtime and outshoot them by 50 or so before we won. You just never know.”

Published February 17, 2016

Farmington Press

Farmington hockey teams to square off for final time as season winds down

FARMINGTON HILLS — Bill Newton called this the type of game that players remember for a lifetime.

Maybe not so much who won or what the final score was, but facing off against a city rival and guys you’ve played against, or with, your entire life.

For the second and final time this winter, the Farmington High and Farmington Hills United hockey teams will drop the puck and add another chapter to their rivalry.

Published February 10, 2016

Grosse Pointe Times

Liggett’s four-year seniors aiming for second MMGHSHL title

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — The seniors on Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett’s girls hockey team have quite the résumé.

In their freshman year, they made it to the final four in the Michigan Metro Girls High School Hockey League playoffs. Sophomore year, they won the MMGHSHL Division I title. Junior year, they played in the championship game.

Liggett’s seniors are proud of what they’ve accomplished so far, but would like to go out with a bang. They want to bring home another MMGHSHL title.

Published February 9, 2016

Macomb Township Chronicle

L’Anse Creuse North hockey on a roll

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — To this point in the season, the Macomb L’Anse Creuse North hockey team has been dominant.

The Crusaders at press time had a mark of 19-1-0 overall, 5-0-0 in the Macomb Area Conference Blue Division. The team’s lone blemish came in a 5-2 loss to Canton High on Jan. 31.

Published February 8, 2016

Woodward Talk

Berkley hockey team takes advantage of first trip to MIHL Showcase

TRENTON — Making his way through the throngs of congratulatory fans was one mission.

The next was shaking hands with a half-dozen scouts representing junior teams.

“And this is exactly how it’s supposed to be,” Berkley Unified hockey coach Jeff Fleming said Feb. 5 from the Kennedy Ice Arena. “This is why you come here. There’s nothing else like this.”

As Fleming spoke, those scouts were introduced to, or got reacquainted with, a number of Berkley players.

Published February 5, 2016

Woodward Talk

Berkley Unified hockey team finishes 2-0 at MIHL Showcase; beats GR Christian 2-1 Friday afternoon

TRENTON — Jeff Fleming had never taken a team to the Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League Prep Showcase before.

The Berkley Unified coach and his guys certainly made the most of their first trip, though, following up last night’s 9-1 victory against Toledo St. John’s with a 2-1 win this afternoon against Grand Rapids Christian at the Kennedy Ice Arena thanks to Ryan Austin’s goal with just 50 seconds remaining in regulation.

Published February 1, 2016

Grosse Pointe Times

Grosse Pointe University Liggett girls hockey shuts out Ann Arbor Skyron

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — Monday was time for the new wave of talent of Grosse Pointe University Liggett's girls hockey team to shine.

The "newbies," as the Knights call their younger players, showed up, playing a major role in a 5-0 win against Ann Arbor Skyron.

Published February 1, 2016

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Schmidt Jr. says his team can play with anyone when on its A-game

BIRMINGHAM — There’s optimism, frustration and an encouraging outlook all tied together here.

There’s a team, when at its best, that can play with anyone in the state.

There’s also a team, when less than its best, that’s blown a 3-0 lead and a 2-0 lead in separate losses this year.

Published January 26, 2016

Grosse Pointe Times

Challenging schedule could help GP South boys hockey prepare for postseason

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — At press time, the boys hockey team from Grosse Pointe South owned an overall record of 12-3-1 and sat atop the standings of the Metro League East.

As good as that may look from the outside, it is going to take more than a solid regular-season start to truly impress head coach Bobby McKillop.

Published January 26, 2016

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Next couple of weeks key for Cranbrook girls hockey team

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — To this point, all has gone according to plan.

Some big games, some key wins, and a team coming together.

But the plan now, as Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood girls hockey coach Terry Brooks put it, “is to have our best team on the ice in the next week or so. We’re getting into the meat of our schedule, and we have to be at our best.”

The Cranes were 7-4-1 at press time and currently in third place of the Michigan Metro Girls High School Hockey League.

Published January 25, 2016

Shelby - Utica News

Former Shelby Township resident, Connor, is now part of the University of Michigan hockey roster

It has been quite an eventful period in the life of former Shelby Township resident Kyle Connor, as aside from being in his freshman season with the University of Michigan hockey team, he was also selected 17th in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft by the Winnipeg Jets.

While Connor — who moved to Youngstown, Ohio, after ninth grade — is going to have to wait for his opportunity to play in the NHL as he continues to develop his game, he does get to play for the school he grew up rooting for.

Published January 22, 2016

Royal Oak Review

Shrine Unified falls to Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard in Catholic League hockey contest

ROYAL OAK—This season hasn't been a smooth ride for Shrine Unified, but its looking to improve.

On Jan. 22, the Knights fell 6-1 to Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard. Shrine's defense and goaltending was impressive, but it struggled to match the speed and intensity of Gabriel Richard's offense.

"They're the best team in the Catholic League," said Shrine Coach Eric Button. "We didn't get mercied, that's a plus. The boys played well in the third (period), that's a huge plus."

Published January 22, 2016

Royal Oak Review

Shrine Unified hockey to face off against Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard

Shrine Unified and Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard will face off at 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at Royal Oak's John Lindell Ice Arena. The Knights fell to the Fighting Irish by a score of 9-3 in the last meeting between the two teams on Jan. 3.

Shrine has a record of 3-8-3 overall and 2-2-2 against Catholic League opponents. Gabriel Richard is a perfect 5-0 in league play, with a 9-3-1 overall record and a perfect 5-0 league record