Lake Orion downs Clarkston for second straight OAA hockey tournament title
BIRMINGHAM — Three weeks ago, Lake Orion thought it clinched the regular season title of the Oakland Activities Association Red Division hockey race.
The Dragons defeated Clarkston, 2-1, in overtime, in front of a packed house at the Detroit Skate club.
Due to league by-laws, the game was switched to a tie as teams are not allowed to paly overtime games in league contests. That ruling left Lake Orion and Clarkston with 5-0-2 records in league play.
Clarkston eventually earned the top seed to the OAA-Red Division tournament thanks to a series of tie-breakers.
Out on the ice, Lake Orion proved to be tops once again, by skating past Clarkston, 3-2, in front of a large crowd at the Birmingham Ice Arena., giving the Dragons their second straight OAA tournament title and a share of the overall league crown with Clarkston.
Shane Stockwell scored with 4:52 left on a 5-on-4 power play for what proved to be the game winner.
Lake Orion’s Kurt Latshaw suffered a serious injury with over eight minutes to go, which caused a 30-minute delay. Clarkston came out of the intense layoff and tied the game on a goal by Adam Johns with 7:15 left.
“I think our guys responded well,” said Lake Orion coach Nick Reid. “We lost the top seed on a tie-breaker after they said the overtime (win) didn’t count. Then we had this injury and Clarkston tied us up with about seven to go. I thought even with all of that, we [played well enough to win. It means something to these guys. We own the tournament last year and this year. That’s a nice accomplishment.”
Clarkston and Lake Orion should meet in the Division 1 regional semifinals on Thursday at the Detroit Skate club if Lake Orion can get past Lapeer Unified in the pre-regional.
Lake Orion (14-7-3, state semifinalists last season, broke the stalemate and grabbed 1-0 lead with 3:41 left in the first period on a tally by Daniel Chapie.
Clarkston (11-10-3) tied the game with 16:10 remaining in the second period when Zach Gootee tucked a shot into the net.
The Dragons regained the advantage with 7:29 left in the second period, this time with Nick Balavich scoring to give Lake Orion its second lead of the game.
“Last year we were in different regionals,” said Reid. “I know if we can get past Lapeer, then it will be a great atmosphere. The Lake Orion-Clarkston hockey games are always provide some great excitement.
“We’re excited to be able to win the (OAA) tournament and carry some momentum into the postseason.”
ADDITIONAL LINKS:
FALL SPORTS
FOOTBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Football&x=12&y=12
SOCCER: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=soccer&x=0&y=0
CROSS COUNTRY: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Cross+country&x=11&y=10
GOLF: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Golf&x=9&y=14
TENNIS: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Tennis&x=13&y=4
VOLLEYBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Volleyball&x=0&y=9
SWIMMING: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Swimming&x=11&y=14
WINTER SPORTS
BASKETBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Basketball&x=13&y=12
WRESTLING: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=wrestling&x=10&y=9
SKIING: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Skiing&x=5&y=14
GYMNASTICS: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Gymnastics&x=10&y=12
HOCKEY: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Hockey&x=11&y=14
SWIMMING: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Swimming&x=11&y=14
BOWLING: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Bowling&x=4&y=13
COMPETITIVE CHEER: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Competitive+Cheer&x=6&y=10
SPRING SPORTS
BASEBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Baseball&x=16&y=13
SOFTBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Softball&x=8&y=11
TRACK AND FIELD: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=track&x=14&y=11
LACROSSE: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=lacrosse&x=12&y=9
TENNIS: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Tennis&x=13&y=4
GOLF: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Golf&x=9&y=14
SOCCER: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=soccer&x=0&y=0
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