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PREP HOCKEY: Lake Orion chasing another dream season on ice

Dan Stickradt | January 20, 2012 | Comments (1)

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BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Reaching the summit as a top program is one thing. Trying to stay near or at the top is another.

That’s exactly what Lake Orion’s boys hockey team is trying to figure out this winter.

The Dragons are off to a fine 8-4-1 start, and that follows a 1-3-0 record during the first two weeks of the season in late November and early December. Lake Orion is also 5-0-1 inside the OAA Red Division and if it can win out over the next month will capture its first league title in program history.

Lake Orion was third in the OAA-Red last season during the best season in program history, which began in 1999-2000.

“I am pleased with how we have played so far,” admitted first-year Lake Orion head coach Nick Field, who was the junior varsity head coach at the school last season. “Am I satisfied? I don’t think anyone is satisfied unless they win the whole thing.”

Lake Orion, ranked seventh in Division 1, came off a two-week break last week and posted a 0-1-1 record, tying North Farmington-Harrison Unified in an OAA Red Division league game while falling to Division 1 10^th-ranked South Lyon Unified.

The Dragons will visit the Grand Rapids area this weekend for two non-league games. On Friday, they will tangle with Division 3 fifth-ranked Grand Rapids Catholic Central on Friday, while the Dragons will face Division 1 Rockford on Saturday night to complete the road trip.

That is just the latest in another rugged schedule.

SLAP SHOT: Freshman Ryan Szydlowski is a key new addition for Lake Orion, which is still ranked in the top 10 in the state after reaching the Division 1 Final Four last season. File Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckephotography.com

“We have played a difficult schedule, but that’s one thing I know (former coach Kurt Robar and Par Cherry) stressed was a tougher schedule. It paid off last year,” noted Field. “We had some losses early in the year, but they were to really good teams We lost to Northville and (Livonia) Stevenson at the beginning of the season and they are both tough teams.”

Lake Orion finished a proud 20-8-1 overall last season and set a school record for wins in the process. The Dragons eclipsed numerous school records throughout the season and brought back around half of the last year’s team.

Lake Orion captured its first-ever Division 1 regional championship last season following wins over Utica Eisenhower (10-2), Rochester United (4-1) and Macomb Dakota (2-0). The Dragons also won its state quarterfinal game against St. Clair Shores Unified (4-3) before falling to eventual state champion Novi (3-0) in its first-ever Final Four appearance.

The Dragons broke into the state rankings just before Christmas and are currently on a 4-1-1 streak, which included a win in late December over neighboring rival Oxford (6-4), a team on the rise and the newest member of the OAA Red Division.

“I thought we were a little off last week, not playing for a couple of weeks before that, but we are still in the lead for league and have a great chance,” said Field. “I think if we can beat Clarkston on (Jan. 28), then we will have a great chance to win our league.”

REASON TO CELEBRATE: Lake Orion senior Nick Balavich celebrates a goal in a game earlier this season. Balavich is one of the many key returnees from last year's 20-win team, which set multiple school records. File Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com

The OAA playoffs will commence on Feb. 17, while the MHSAA postseason will commence on Feb. 27. The Dragons will also have a chance to showcase their talents on Feb 4 at the OAA-MAC crossover at The Onyx in Rochester.

Several holdovers from last season’s team have led the Dragons, most notably seniors Nick Balavich, Shane Stockwell, Brad Bogus and Daniel Chapie, among others. Freshman Ryan Szydlowski, junior David Otto, sophomore Jordan Stross and senior goaltender Drew Galasso have all made an impact.

“We have a very god core of players back and I think we’ve had some new guys step in and contribute nicely,” offered Field. “I think we have a nice mix of players and overall they have come together.”

To view and purchase a photo gallery on Lake Orion hockey, please visit www.lcmkeephotograhy.com : http://lmckeephotography.photoshelter.com/gallery/Lake-Orion-vs-Farmington-at-Detroit-Skate-Club-Varsity-Hockey-12-1-11/G0000hEBFzrkJ.Y0/P0000X85_6YqTdO4

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