The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Bulldogs pound Rocks on ice
By Don Richter, Sports Editor
PUBLISHED: January 31, 2008
Chelsea hockey defeated visiting Salem 5-1 last Saturday. The Bulldogs (10-5-2) answered the bell nicely after playing one of their worst games of the season in a 9-3 loss to Howell the previous day.
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"I was pleased that we responded after the Howell game," said Chelsea coach Don Wright. "We played very well."
To begin the first period, Chelsea sophomore Drew Brown scored off a pass from senior Matt Prince for an early 1-0 Bulldog lead.
At 2:00 of the second period, the Rocks' Joel Cheesman scored to tie the game at 1-1.
Four minutes later, senior Kyle George scored giving Chelsea a 2-1 lead. Picking up an assist for the Bulldogs was senior Andy Korc and Randy Cox.
At 14:25 of the second period, junior Steven O'Keefe scored upping Chelsea's lead to 3-1. Senior Matt Heinen and Brown each recorded an assist on the goal for the Bulldogs.
In the third period, George scored his second goal of the night at 4:35 of the frame, turning the light on off an assist from Cox and Prince.
At 12:05 of the third period, Brown put Salem away scoring his second goal for the game's 5-1 final margin. Freshman Steve Lesko and Cox picked up assists on the play for Chelsea.
The Bulldogs out-shot the Rocks 26-16 for the game.
Earning the win in net for Chelsea was junior goaltender Joey Hume.
In stark contrast to last Saturday's crisp, well-played victory over Salem, the Bulldogs suffered through a 9-3 loss against host Howell last Friday. The nine goals allowed are a season high for Chelsea.
The Highlanders, who have been in and out of the state's top 10 in Division 1 all season, scored five unanswered goals in the first period.
"We had an awful first period," Wright said. "Howell did a great job. We weren't ready to play. They attacked us hard. That (falling behind by five goals) hasn't happened to us all year. Everything they did went in the net in the first period. If you allow five goals in the first period, you're in trouble."
The Highlanders began the scoring with a goal by Eric Cosellian 40 seconds into the first period.
At 1:46 of the first period, Ryan Ronowski scored for a 2-0 Howell advantage.
Brandon Burton made it 3-0 Highlanders with a goal at the 7:47 mark of the first period.
Ronowski scored a power play goal two minutes later for a 4-0 margin.
At 13:55 of the first period, Ryan Johnson scored for a commanding 5-0 Howell lead.
Despite being in the hole 5-0, the Bulldogs refused to quit.
"In the second and third periods, we played much better," Wright said.
Ten seconds into the second period, Cox scored a power play goal off an assist from George cutting the Highlanders' lead to 5-1.
With momentum suddenly on their side, Brown scored at 7:50 of the second period, drawing Chelsea closer at 5-2. Prince assisted on the play for the Bulldogs.
At 14:11 of the second period, Howell stemmed whatever momentum Chelsea had built by scoring a late goal. Johnson notched his second score of the night putting the Highlanders up 6-2.
"That goal in the last minute hurt," Wright said. "We were playing much better."
Early in the third period, Howell's Alex Burton scored for a 7-2 lead.
At 9:35 of the third period, Tyler Myers scored a power play goal for an 8-2 Highlander advantage.
Two minutes later, Cox scored his second goal of the contest. Brown and George recorded assists for the Bulldogs.
To end the game, Howell's Brandon Marshall scored at 14:00 of the third period for the night's final outcome.
The Highlanders out-shot Chelsea 26-16 for the game.
Despite the loss to Howell, the Bulldogs have won five out of their last six contests.
Chelsea next hosts Flint Kearsley Saturday at 7 p.m.
On Wednesday, the Bulldogs visit Saline for a match-up at 6:30 p.m.
On Feb. 9, Chelsea hosts Ypsilanti Lincoln at 7 p.m.
Sports Editor Don Richter can be reached at 475-1371 or at drichter@heritage.com.
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