Heat on ice: Dragons singe defending OAA champion Farmington

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Understandably so, Lake Orion has a few question marks on its hockey team this season, After all, the Dragons graduated 12 of their 22 players from last year’s team that made a run to the Division 1 Final Four.

The Dragons are slowly coming together this season under a new coaching staff and took another giant leap forward Thursday night at the Detroit Skate Club. Lake Orion scored three times in the first eight minutes and never looked back in upending two-time defending OAA Red Division champion Farmington, 5-1, in the league opener for both teams.

“It was a good, solid start. We came out fast and capitalized on the opportunities that we had,” said first-year Lake Orion coach Nick Field. “You have to play a full three periods of hockey in this league and we did a good job of that tonight.”

REASON TO CELEBRATE: Lake Orion's Dylan Rosen pumps his fist after scoring a goal during the Dragons' 5-2 win Thursday over Farmington. Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com

Farmington (1-3-0, 0-1-0) graduated 16 players from its team last year and veteran coach Mark Vellucci has to reload virtually an entire roster. The Falcons were a mainstay in the state rankings most of last season but face a major rebuilding season this winter.

The Falcons’ lone bright spot against Lake Orion came with 15:57 left in the second period, when Zack Massa blasted a slap shot from just inside the blue line that sailed under the crossbar which cut the deficit down to 3-1. Lake Orion outshot Farmington by a commanding 33-15 margin in the game and the Dragons consistently bottled up the Falcons in the neutral zone.

“We rely on team defense. Our defense has its responsibilities and our offense has its responsibilities,” said Field. “Everybody does their part. What you get is three periods of solid hockey and this is the result of that.”

“There’s a lot of parity (in the OAA this season). I know we have a pretty good squad here, but at the end of the day we just have to execute,” said Field. “If you don’t, it’s hard to win games. I thought we executed in this one.”

Brad Bogus, one of the key returnees for the Dragons (2-3-0, 1-0-0), scored the first two goals to put Lake Orion out in front for good. He scored the first goal with 10:50 left in the opening period, finishing off a feed from Nick Balavich. Bogus tucked in what proved to be the eventual game-winner only 24 seconds later, again off passes from Balavich and Shane Stockwell.

Dylan Rosen pushed the lead to 3-0 with 9:04 still to play in the first frame on a power-play goal, with Ryan Szydlowski and Stockwell setting up the play.

Stockwell scored a second period goal on a 4-on-4 situation, while Balavich capped the scoring with 4:40 left in the third period.

Senior goaltender Drew Galasso, who came over from travel hockey, made saves of 14 of 15 shots for Lake Orion. The Dragons’ two goaltenders the previous two years both graduated, allowing Galasso to step in and aid his team.

Drew came  to us this year from travel and he’s provided some good stability in net,” said Field. “Were’ relying on drew this season and he’s done a good job for us.”

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