Powers Falls to Davison 3-2 

 By: DJ Shubeck:  Powers Hockey Writer

 Game Recap- Powers vs. Davison Cardinals 1-8-2020

It was a snowy, chilly night in Flint as the Powers Catholic Chargers Varsity hockey team was on the road visiting the Cardinals of Davison.  Powers would dominate every category of the score sheet, except the most important one- the goals- and they would fall to the Cards 3-2 in a league game they let slip away. 

Powers dominated the first period with an effective forecheck that had Davison in their defensive zone for much of the 1st period.  Although they carried the play and generated shots, many were into the belly pad of Cardinals Senior net-minder Dominic Wendal, who made many of the saves look routine, facing 17 shots during the first period.  A lack of second chance rebounds and traffic in front of Wendal made it easy for him to make saves and exit the period holding Powers off the board. Powers goalie, Senior Brennan Churchill, only faced 5 shots and the closest Davison would come to scoring was a shot off the short side goal post half way through the stanza.  Davison would ice the puck 6 times during the period to relieve the pressure and had the only power play, failing to covert and getting one weak shot on Churchill.

Powers would have the momentum and continue to carry the play in the second period with an excellent offensive zone forecheck and an aggressive style. Davison would be called for holding 4 minutes into the 2nd period and from the ensuing face off, Powers made them pay.  Sophomore, Nolan Salayko would set up the power play goal after a face off win and fed Senior Tim Washburn. Washburn snapped a shot that was tipped right on the door step of Wendal by Powers Sophomore, Andrew Wurtz.  The aggressive play by Powers would again see results 4 minutes later when more stress in the Davison defensive zone paid off. Senior Joey Carpenter started the play behind the Cardinals net and worked the puck away from 2 Cardinal players, dishing it to Sophomore Jacques Lavrack. Lavarck spied Junior Tyler Lawrence, who was left all alone in the slot. He snapped a bullet by Wendal, extending the Powers lead to 2-0.  Powers would have a chance 3 minutes later to add to the lead on another power play. They failed to score, which would prove later to be an important missed opportunity as they had multiples chances to score.  Powers dominated the shots on net, 18 -3 as Charger goalie, Churchill stood watching the entire period and went 9 minutes without a puck anywhere near him.

But the third period was a different game with an unfortunate ending for the visiting team.  Powers started the 3rd period with the same style of play, but a penalty call for holding, less than 2 minutes into the period would change the complexion of the game. Davison Senior, Jeffrey Schmidt, would score as he collected a pass at center ice and cut into the Powers zone. He snapped a wrist shot between the legs of the Powers defenseman and the screen seemed to surprise Churchill as it found the back of the net glove side.  Juniors Brendan Keeling and Matt Graham would assist on the power play goal by Schmidt.  The momentum shifted and three minutes later Schmidt would pick up a loose puck in his own zone and deke a Powers defenseman, creating a 2-1. His pass across the slot found Junior, Owen Lafontaine, and he beat Churchill to tie the game at 2 goals each.  Powers had several chances to retake the lead as they had Davison pinned in their zone for over a minute but Wendal stopped a redirected shot and stood tall on another partial break away, forcing the shot wide of the net.  As the play entered the Powers zone, a seemingly harmless shot by Senior Dylan McMullen eluded Churchill and went in, giving Davison the lead. Jeffrey Schmidt would get his 3rd point of the game with the assist. Powers pressured Davison in the latter stages of the game as Tyler Lawrence redirected a point shot off the post. With just over 2 minutes left in the game Powers would take back to back penalty’s that would seal their fate as the game ended 3-2 in favor of the Cardinals.  Powers out shot Davison 15-6 in the 3rd period and for the game 45-14.

Powers Coach, Travis Perry, commented that “We need to learn to play smart and protect a lead.  I can’t believe we let that happen- shocking way to lose.”  Powers will be home vs Detroit Country Day, Saturday at 3pm.