D-3 Challenge Summaries

CHELSEA 8 CADILLAC 5
Chelsea wins a track meet, despite two goals from Cadillac defenseman Jiri Lindstrom and one apiece from Adam Hodges, Sean Kennedy and P.J. O'Hagan.

GROSSE ILE 4 BIG RAPIDS 3
The Big Rapids Cardinal Hockey team faced a tough Gross IIe Red Devils team in their opening Friday night game at the DIII Showcase. Big Rapids got an early jump on the the Red Devils only 50 seconds into the game on a goal from Billy Clark, with the assist coming from Tom Hancock. Grosse Ile tried to answer back all period, but couldn't seem to get the break they need. The first period saw the Cardinals with five shots on goal to the Red Devil's 12, but the Cardinals leading the score 1-0.

In the second period, Grosse Ile seem to dominate play, scoring three of their 9 shots on Big Rapids failed to match their offensive speed and did not score in the second period.

Early in the third period, Grosse Ile scored on a goal that was knocked out of mid air in front of the net, giving the Red Devils a 4-1 lead over Big Rapids. Half-way through the third, a Grosse Ile injury delayed the game, but once play resumed Big Rapids dominated the ice play. Matt Farnsworth scored a power play goal assisted by Tom Hancock, bringing the score to 4-2. The Cardinals keep the pressure on the Red Devils for the rest of the period, and were winning the puck battles late in the period, Billy McMullen found the back of the net with a laser shot from the point, with the assist coming from Billy Clark. Big Rapids pulled their goalie in the remaining seconds but couldn't tie the game. Eric Saum had 23 saves for the Cardinals.

RIVERVIEW 2 EAST GRAND RAPIDS 1
The Pioneers fell behind by two goals, but battled back to cut the lead to 2-1 in the second on a rebound roof shot by sophomore Drew O'Brien (assists to Joe Glendenning and Ecko Morgan). East mounted a furious charge in the third period, but couldn't get the equalizer past Riverview goalie Jacob Wells. Ian McDonald kept EGR in the game with 37 saves.

GR CATHOLIC CENTRAL 9 GAYLORD 4
The Cougars were rude guests at the host team's house, scoring early and often in the first two periods to take a 9-4 victory in their opening game. Kevin Boman and John Dery had hat tricks, and linemate Clayton Brackett had four assists and a goal of his own. Matt Kane and Paul Ziemke also had goals for the Cougars, who move to 7-0 on the season. Brian Gorski and Lucas McShosh each had an assist in the game. Adam Janecyk earned the win between the pipes with 19 saves.