PATRIOTIC WIN: ‘Cats edge Dragons on Military Appreciation Night

 PATRIOTIC WIN: ‘Cats edge Dragons on Military Appreciation Night

Plymouth’s Avery Olepa leads a charge down the ice.

Wearing camouflage-colored uniforms and playing with a patriotism-driven purpose, Plymouth’s hockey team honored a group of U.S. military veterans Thursday night with a never-dull 4-3 victory over visiting Lake Orion.

After recognizing in-attendance members of Plymouth’s VFW Post 6695 with a pre-game ceremony, the Wildcats struck first when James Darty — wearing Gordie Howe’s No. 9 instead of his typical 13 — netted a rebound shot 7 minutes and 16 seconds into the first period.

A behind-the-net skirmish following the goal left the Wildcats two players short — and the Dragons took advantage of their 5-on-3 advantage when Carter Kneiding scored at the 8:21 mark to deadlock the game at 1-all.

Lake Orion’s Jack Haynes deposited a second power-play goal with 3:35 remaining in the opening stanza to give the Dragons their only lead of the night, 2-1.

Always close

The teams skated off the ice following the first period knotted at 2-2 thanks to Plymouth’s Brayden Irvin’s goal at the 1:44 mark.

Plymouth’s Jackson Warzecha gave the hosts a 3-2 advantage five minutes into the second period.

Plymouth players celebrate following a first period goal
Plymouth players celebrate following a first period goal

Lake Orion’s Kyle Conley made it 3-3 with a — you guessed it! — power-play net-finder.

Game-winner

Plymouth’s Warzecha scored the game-winner at the 9:56 mark of the second period.

The game’s final 26:56 were scoreless thanks in large part to stellar play from the two teams’ goalies: Plymouth’s Liam Villalobos (28 saves) and Lake Orion’s Jagger Kimber (30 saves).

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.

Ed Wright

Related post