Novi goalie Cabadas stellar in 6-3 win over Canton
The puck sails out of harm’s way after Novi goalie Nico Cabadas redirected it during the first period of Wednesday’s game.
Using all the tools at his disposal — his stick, glove and chest — Novi goalie Nico Cabadas sent the home crowd at Canton’s Arctic Edge Ice Arena home disappointed Wednesday night.
In a fast-paced KLAA crossover match-up, the Wildcats prevailed, 6-3, by scoring two goals in each period and stymieing the Cobras every time they made an effort to seize the lead.
Cabadas was spectacular, turning away 29 shots — many sizzling efforts from close range.
O’Brien enjoyed productive night
Offensively, Novi was led by co-captain Lucas O’Brien, who found the back of the net twice and assisted on a third goal.
The result left Novi’s overall record at 5-9. Canton slipped to 7-7 overall.
Novi carried a 2-1 lead into the first intermission thanks to net-finders by Cori Hastoy and Brady Chippa. Hudson Zhao and Owen Schlicker assisted on Hastoy’s goal while Collin Hoppe picked up the lone helper on Chippa’s goal.
Trailing 1-0 in the opening stanza, Canton deadlocked the game 1-1 on John Nickel’s ninth goal of the season. He was assisted by Matthew Falkenberg and Zack Vandefifer.
Parrish ties it up
The Cobras knotted the game at 2-2 less than four minutes into the second period on Dylan Parrish’s tough-angle goal. Parrish was assisted by Sam Spirl and Jason Sharbaugh Jr.
Novi seized the lead for good on second-period goals from Schlicker (assisted by O’Brien and Chippa) and O’Brien, who deflated the Cobras with a goal just six seconds before the second break.
Cameron James brought the Cobras to within 4-3 on a short-handed goal with 10:40 left in the contest, but Novi countered with victory-sealing net-finders from O’Brien and Collin Hoppe.
Canton goalie Liam Simmons made several sterling stops for the Cobras, but not enough to keep his team above the .500 mark.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
