[ad_1]
Anchor Bay keeper Luke Christensen prepares for a potential shot on net. (Kevin Rozon – MediaNews Group)
Momentum is really key in sports, especially in the state playoffs.
Anchor Bay seized momentum Wednesday night when Cade Carr scored on a rebound 32 seconds into the game against Utica Ford Unified in the Division 1 district tournament. The Tars never gave up and won 5-0.
“High school sports are all about momentum,” Anchor Bay coach Joe Zuccaro said. “It’s not just about scoring, it’s about controlling. It’s great to get first points, but it’s great to keep them off the board and score extra points. Tonight was very important.”
The Tars increased their lead to 2-0 midway through the first period with a goal by John Sheker during a scramble in front of the net.
“You want to get into a period of momentum, but when that happens, it takes the wind out of your sails,” Utica Ford Unified coach Evan Gizinski said. “I thought we fought the whole game, but we had some bad bounces. Overall, I’m proud of them.”
Anchor Bay added two goals on the power play in the second period with Kayden Lee and Andrew McCabe each lighting the lamp.
“Anchor Bay is a little deeper than we think,” Gizinski said. “I think they’re also a young team with only two seniors. I think they’re set up to be good for a few years.”
Christian Steele scored an insurance goal for the Tars in the final period. That was more than enough support for Anchor Bay goalkeeper Luke Christensen, who rejected all 33 shots and recorded his ninth shutout of the season.
“We pride ourselves on our defense, but sometimes we go a little too far,” Zuccaro said. “Luke has been a rock for us. He’s our only goaltender and tonight was his ninth shutout. He’s a senior, but the best thing about him is how calm he is under pressure. Nothing bothers him.”
Lee led Tarcharge with a goal and two assists.
“Kayden is one of our captains and was here last year,” Zuccaro said. “He’s our leading scorer and a horse in the zone. He’s hard to get off the puck and he shoots well. Sometimes we just go with what he tells us to do. He’s a leader.”
For Anchor Bay, McCabe had a goal and one assist, while Wyatt Burakowski and Tyden Jones each had two assists. Ethan Peacock and Gavin Sherby each had one.
“They were excited to get the playoffs going again because we brought back a lot of players from last year,” Zuccaro said. “We’re taking it one day at a time. It’s very exciting.”
With the win, the Tars advance to the regional semifinals and will play Chippewa Valley United next Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Macomb Suburban Ice Arena.
Photos from Anchor Bay’s 5-0 regional tournament win over Utica Ford Unified.
“Chippewa Valley is very talented and we beat them once and they beat us once,” Zuccaro said. “Next up is the equalizer. It’s going to be a tough matchup. We’re going to fly under the radar and give them a game.”
Utica was led by goaltender Eli Chodun, who made 44 saves in the loss.
“He played really well,” Gizinski said. “He doesn’t get a second chance. We weren’t picking up spilled sticks in front of the net. He played great this season.”
With this loss, Utica Ford Unified’s season ended with a total of 12 wins and 14 losses. Gizinski said it was a learning experience for a young team with only four seniors.
“We’ve graduated 30 kids in the last three years,” Gizinski said. “We had a lot of turnovers and we knew heading into this season it was going to be a little tough. For the young players we have now, this is about how they compete at this level. I think it’s a good lesson for us to know what we need to do in the future.”
[ad_2]
Source link
