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With Tuesday’s 7-3 victory over Woodhaven, the Saline Hornets are on the verge of winning the Metro Division West for the first time.
After 11 games, the Hornets (8-3-0) have 16 points, three better than Pioneer (6-4-1) and four better than Woodhaven (6-5-0), who’ve also played 11 games. Each team has two games left. Saline plays Southgate Anderson and Dearborn United to finish the season. Saline beat those teams by a combined score of 17-3 in earlier matchups.
Last week the Hornets won their first SEC Red championship since 2011.
Coach Drew Denzin said winning the Metro Division West is a major accomplishment.
“The guys on the team are making their mark and creating their own legacy,” Denzin said. “We joined the division after going to the state finals in 2006 and we’ve never won this. We usually go around .500 in this division. So this would be a first for Saline hockey. It will be nice to add a brand new banner here at the cube.”
Dallas Klaassen led a balanced attack for Saline, scoring two goals. Ethan Peitz, Noah Helber, Grant Ellis, Owen Helber and Zach Mitchell also scored for Saline.
The game was evenly played in the first period, with Woodhaven striking first shorthanded just 3:08 into the game. Woodhaven generated the best chances in the game’s opening 10 minutes. Saline goalie Scott Thomas made several sprawling and spectacular saves to keep the Hornets within one.
The Hornets enjoyed some puck luck to tie the game. Grant Ellis centered the puck, which ricocheted off a Woodhaven skate and into the net with 6:14 to play in the period.
Woodhaven regained the lead 3:29 into the second period when Billy Brock got behind the defense, cut across the crease and lifted a backhand over Scott Thomas.
It took Saline less than two minutes to tie the score. Klaassen was johnny-on-the-spot to put a rebound past the Woodhaven goalie. Ellis and Greg Houle drew the assists.
With 6:26 to play, Peitz scored to give Saline its first lead, banging home the rebound of an Owen Helber shot. Michael Brown also drew an assist. Just 51 seconds later, Noah Helber joined the rush on a three-on-two. He converted a rebound to make it 4-2, Saline. Klaassen and Avery Jepson assisted on the goal.
“As the game went on we did a good job getting pucks to the front of the net,” Denzin said.
With 2:38 to play in the second, Klaassen scored a pretty goal, coming in from the left wing and roofing a perfectly-placed backhander over the goalie’s shoulder. Houle and Mitchell assisted.
“Dallas had a great game. We all know what kind of skill he has and today he showed everyone,” Denzin said. “Overall, I’m really pleased with the balanced scoring we had today. This is something we’re going to need to going forward.”
Saline went up 6-2 with nine minutes to play in the third. Peitz chipped a lead pass ahead of everyone. Owen Helber out-raced the Woodhaven defenseman to the puck and skated in on the break-away. Helber snapped a shot past the goalie. Adam Haas also assisted.
Woodhaven scored to make it 6-3. Saline killed off a couple of late penalties to keep Woodhaven from making it interesting. Zach Mitchell sealed the victory with a late goal. Houle picked up his third assist of the night on the goal.
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