Lake Orion defeats Dakota in MAC Showcase game
Lake Orion’s talented hockey team turned Monday into anything but a holiday for Dakota.
Braden Brown, Aiden Manns and Jeff Ryberg had a goal and an assist apiece in the MAC Showcase game as the OAA Red Division team defeated undermanned Dakota 6-1 in the Martin Luther King Day event at Mount Clemens Ice Arena.
Nick Grancitelli and Ryland Howard scored a goal apiece in the second period to help Lake Orion build a 4-1 lead.
“They overpowered us. They outskated us,” Dakota coach Jim Andonoff said. “Lake Orion’s got a good squad.”
Dakota defeated Kingsford and Big Rapids during a weekend trip to Traverse City, but the Macomb Township team had a short bench for its encounter with Lake Orion, which improved to 10-4.
“We’ve got a lot of guys out with injuries and illness,” Andonoff said. “They had a lot of guys on the bench, and we had seven forwards. We had six (defensemen) at the start, but then we went to five.
“We just tired out. That’s what happens. Our guys gave it everything they had.”
All nine Macomb Area Conference teams were in action at the showcase.
Other scores from the morning and early afternoon were Bishop Foley 3, Port Huron 2; Anchor Bay 7, Ann Arbor Huron 0; Utica-Ford Unified 8, Tawas 0; Ann Arbor Richard 6, St. Clair Shores 0, and Marysville 5, Thumb Legion 2.
Bob Clouston, the Utica-Ford Unified coach, said the energy in the rink made the day special.
“Seeing the parking lot packed, walking in and feeling the energy in the lobby, and being able to see all of our friends — coaches, parents, former players,” Clouston said when asked what gave the showcase its personality.
“For the kids, these are the players they grew up playing with and against. They’re in the lobby talking. The energy it creates is really nice.”
Adam Krefski, the Lake Orion coach, called the event “awesome.”
“The kids get a day together,” Krefski said. “You get all the teams together at the rink to watch some good hockey. It’s a great day.”
The line of Brown, Brandon Piwko and Jeff Ryberg was a tonesetter for the Dragons, Krefski said.
“We generated a lot of shots,” Krefski said. “Our defense played well, too.
“We’re having a good season.” Sam Haynes scored in the third period to put Lake Orion ahead 5-1.
Eisenhower played Troy, L’Anse Creuse Unified played Grosse Pointe North and Romeo played Clarkston in later games.