Clarkston, Flint Powers Square off in Top-10 Tilt
Howell and Salem meet in a ranked hockey matchup between KLAA opponents
Craig Peterson
November 19, 2024
74 games on opening week of the Michigan high school hockey season saw the home team win 42 of them. It consisted of some pretty extensive road trips as well. Marquette traveled downstate to take on a pair of Metro Detroit teams, while South Lyon Unified ventured up to Sault Ste. Marie for a two-game set as well. This week’s slate of games features at last seven Top-25 matchups, on top of a bevy of other important matchups across the state. A quick update on last week’s results:
Petey: 6-1-0
Public: 5-2-0
Grand Rapids Christian vs. Reeths-Puffer
Tuesday, Nov. 18th, 7 p.m. at Eagles Ice Center
The Eagles opened up the season with an important 4-2 win over Plymouth at home. Two of those goals came on the power play and having special teams humming along early in the season can be a huge advantage for Grand Rapids Christian. In fact, I think it could be the key to success in this early-season OK Conference matchup. According to both MHSAA and the Hub, Reeths-Puffer has yet to play a game to this point. Starting the season off on the road against a team who’s already shaken off the rust and won’t have first-game jitters will be a tough test. I’ll take the Eagles to go 2-0 to start the season.
Petey’s Pick: Grand Rapids Christian
South Lyon Unified vs. Lakes Area United
Wednesday, Nov. 20th, 7 p.m. at Biggby Coffee Ice Cube
Lakes Area is 2-0-0 to start the season and Jakob Van Zweden has allowed just one goal against thus far. But it’s been light work, facing just 37 shots total in those two starts. South Lyon Unified presents a real good challenge for LAU, with an offense that can put the puck in the net. Nathan Ligi has five goals in three games and Paul Miles has three more over that span. South Lyon was shut out 5-0 last Friday by Sault Ste. Marie because the Blue Devils limited chances and held SLU to just 22 shots on goal. Lakes Area won’t be able to keep Ligi and company at bay like that, which means Van Zweden could have to make north of 30-35 saves for Lakes Area to get a win on the road. I don’t see that happening. South Lyon wins 3-1.
Petey’s Pick: South Lyon Unified
#21 Salem vs. #7 Howell
Wednesday, Nov. 20th, 8:30 p.m. at Victory Ice Center
Howell played Livonia Stevenson tough on Saturday, skating to a 1-1 tie. That’s going to be a recurring theme this season for the Highlanders. This matchup with Salem has potential to be the game of the week, especially considering Henry Lansky is coming off of a 32-save effort last Saturday. Salem has some top-level firepower in guys like Dom Chaput and Karsen Patel, and Nolan Kaminski may be one of the best first-year seniors in the state this season. They’re going to throw everything and the kitchen sink in Howell’s direction, but the Highlanders have just the goalie to answer the challenge. Might feel like Howell steals this one, being outshot and outchanced, but a win nonetheless, 4-2.
Petey’s Pick: Howell
Bay Reps vs. Cranbrook
Thursday, Nov. 21st, 7 p.m. at Centre Ice Arena
Nobody had a better opening week than junior Tyler Boynton-Fisher with a pair of 30-save, 2-1 victories. The Bay Reps will hope for some continued magic from their goaltender in an important Thursday night matchup with defending Division-III state champion Cranbrook. The Cranes tied Trenton 3-3 on Saturday, with all three goals coming from what I’d consider secondary scorers. That’s a great sign for Cranbrook to earn a tie with a Top-25 team getting just one assist total from guys like Nick Timko and Gianluca Di Salvo. Their top guys won’t be quiet for long; expect them to get going on a ‘business trip’ to Traverse City. Cranes win 3-0.
Petey’s Pick: Cranbrook
#5 Houghton vs. Traverse City Central
Friday, Nov. 22nd, 7 p.m. at Dee Stadium
Houghton cruised to victory in its rivalry game highlighted in last week’s picks. While I expect them to win in this spot as well, it should be a much tougher challenge. I’ve got high expectations for Traverse City Central, and if the Trojans are the team I think they can be, this should be a competitive 4-2 or 5-3 type of game. Graham Peters was in mid-season form last week, setting up three of TCC’s four goals in a 4-0 win over Petoskey. If Cole Herzberg and Arthur McManus get going too, the Trojans could present a real problem for Houghton. Connor Arko and Jace DeForge should be the two best players on the ice, though, so I’m sticking with the Gremlins to get another home win.
Petey’s Pick: Houghton
Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard vs. Ann Arbor Pioneer
Friday, Nov. 22nd, 7:30 p.m. at Ann Arbor Ice Cube
The first matchup in the famed Dan Jilek Cup; a cross-town rivalry series between the four Ann Arbor-based programs in Father Gabriel Richard, Huron, Pioneer and Skyline. It is a sneaky intense rivalry for those not familiar with the series and a lot at stake in each matchup. The Irish have dominated the Dan Jilek Cup for the past three seasons, with a 14-1-1 record against Ann Arbor teams and three straight championships. But the tides may be turning in Washtenaw County, as FGR has started the season 0-2 for the first time since the ‘15-16 season, reeling a bit defensively. They’ve given up 10 goals in those two games, but Pioneer hasn’t exactly been stout at that end either, out-scoring Wyandotte 7-5 in its opening game. Expect a lot of offense and Pioneer to come away with the win.
Petey’s Pick: Ann Arbor Pioneer
#8 Flint Powers vs. #4 Clarkston
Saturday, Nov. 23rd, 3 p.m. at Flint Iceland Arena
I’d consider No. 4 Clarkston’s home loss to No. 13 Marquette last week to be a bit of a shocker. Following that up with a road trip to Flint is less than ideal as well, but it feels like a bounce-back spot for the Wolves. Flint Powers was just 3-8-0 against Top-25 teams last season, including a 2-1 loss to the Wolves on opening night. As many as 25 total skaters from that game last year could be back in action again this Saturday. So what’s going to net different results for the Chargers? Ayden Cook’s supporting cast. He scored the lone goal for Powers in that 2023 matchup. He’ll be a factor yet again, but it’s guys like Parker Bendall and Andrew Parmentier who will need to be the difference in this one. Give me the Chargers to earn a big ‘W’ in their season opener.
Petey’s Pick: Flint Powers
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