BOYS HOCKEY: Port Huron Northern ends Stoney Creek’s season in regional finals
BY DAN STICKRDT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
MACOMB TWP. — Brendan Dickinson became Rochester Stoney Creek’s worst nightmare Saturday evening.
The Port Huron Northern senior forward needed the game-winner with 1:04 left in the second overtime period, as the Huskies edged Rochester Stoney Creek, 4-3, in a marathon Division 2 regional finals at Suburban Ice Arena-Macomb.
Port Huron Northern (11-11-2) advances to Tuesday’s state quarterfinals to face No. 4-ranked Birmingham Brother Rice at 6 p.m., also Suburban Ice Arena-Macomb. Rochester Stoney creek finishes the season 14-11-2.
“Both teams played really hard and it was such a great game, very evenly matched,” said Stoney Creek coach Steve Emery. “It was one of those games where someone had to win and someone had to lose and go home. We came up short, but it was a great atmosphere for hockey.”
It marked the 10th time in 12 years that Stoney Creek competed in the Division 2 regional finals. The Cougars, which split off from Rochester United in 2005-06, won regional titles in 2010 and 2012, while Stoney Creek lost in the regional title game in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019.
Logan O’Flannagan scored two goals for the Huskies (11-11-2), including the game-tying goal in the third period for Northern. Chad Noetzel also scored for the Huskies.
Kyle O’Brien registered 25 saves for Port Huron Northern, which held a 45-28 shots advantage.
Mason Burkhart scored two goals with an assist and Spencer Lustila scored one goal with two assists for Stoney Creek. Ben Ripprecht made 41 saves on 45 shots for the Cougars.
“We had a good season, said Emery. “We were third in the OAA behind Clarkston and Rochester United, and they won the league. We had a lot of close games, some we won and some we lost. This was a great game. We just came up a little short.”
DIVISION 3
BIRMINGHAM DETROIT COUNTRY DAY 11, PONTIAC NOTRE DAME PREP 0: It was all Birmingham Detroit Country Day Saturday night in this Division 3 regional finals at Wallace Ice Arena in Bloomfield Hills.
Eight different Yellowjackets scored goals in the mercy-shortened contest. Sam Evola and Spencer Howey recorded the shutout for DCD.
Country Day (21-4-2) will face Detroit U-D Jesuit at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday in the state quarterfinals at Farmington Hills Ice Arena.
Sebastian Vanadia made 15 saves for the Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame Prep finishes 11-15-0.
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