By Greg Gielczyk
LocalSportsJournal.com

CADILLAC — For the second game in a row the Lakeshore Badgers co-op ice hockey team grabbed a 1-0 lead, only to fall short again in an 8-7 non-conference loss to Detroit Southgate Anderson in Cadillac on Saturday afternoon.

Originally the Badgers were supposed to host Southgate, but when West Shore Community Ice Arena could not produce ice for the game the venue had to be changed.

Although a winter storm made the roads icy and treacherous, resulting in a much longer drive home, both teams decided to make the trip for the game.

The Badgers broke the ice, so to speak, when Ludington sophomore forward Ansel Carroll, who last week filled in as the goalie, buried a shot in the net for an unassisted goal and a 1-0 lead.

But they couldn’t extend it, and Southgate came back to knot things up. The rest of the contest was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team gaining a decided advantage.

“Our fill-in goalie today played really, really well,” said Lakeshore head coach Parker Rey. “From where we started against Kentwood (an 11-5 loss to East Kentwood) to how we played today, we showed a lot of improvement.

“We did a lot of good things. We didn’t take a single penalty. After the 11 we took on Monday, I’m very happy. And to have the officials come up afterwards and compliment us on how clean we played … it was a pretty good moment.”

Despite being able to stay out of the penalty box and not give Southgate the extra man advantage the entire game, the Badgers found themselves in another shoot-out.

The two teams were tied, 4-4 at the end of the second period, and each scored 3 in the third.

Southgate broke the 7-7 deadlock and scored with only 14 seconds left in regulation.

Leading the way for the Badgers was Mason County Central senior Austin Quillan, who scored two goals and also contributed an assist.

“We’re having a lot of youth come up and play really, really good hockey this early in the season,” Rey said. “It’s fun to see. Our second line again was dominant, and did most of the scoring.

“I hope it’s not going to become the norm, because I need the first line to score.”

That second line on Saturday consisted of Mason County Eastern sophomore Brandon Austin at left wing, Mason County Central Lukas Schade in the middle and Carrol skating on the right side.

Mason County Central junior River Claveau, Ludington sophomore JT Szoboszlay, Austin (unassisted) and Manistee Catholic freshman Nathaniel Barnett each scored single goals.

Assists were contributed by Manistee junior Gavin Rhodea, Barnett, Ludington junior Nevin Slater, Mason County Central sophomore Trevor Muralt, Austin, Claveau and Ludington freshman Aidan McWilliams.

“We’re definitely facing adversity head-to-head this first part of the season, but I’ll tell you what … after we get our goalie back, these kids will be battle tested,” said Rey.

“I think we can win some games, and maybe string a few in a row. Who knows?”

The Badgers are on the road again Friday, Nov. 25 at 1 p.m. for a rematch with East Kentwood.