Three-goal deficit too much for Lakeland as Mott wins, 6-4

Huron Valley Lakeland appeared as if it was going to make a run at a Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) regional championship, but fell just one game short.

The Eagles were bested by Waterford Mott, 6-4, in an MHSAA Division 2 regional final at the Hartland Sports Center on Saturday, March 5.

Lakeland (13-11-3) fell behind 3-0 in the first period before Bobby Schumacher stopped the bleeding with a goal from the point with 8:09 left.

However, Mott added another goal to go up 4-1 at the first intermission.

Connor Risi scored for Lakeland just 36 seconds into the second period off assists from Sam Brooks and Anthony Kobak to cut Lakeland’s deficit to two goals.

Jordan Blanzy then trimmed Mott’s lead to one with a goal coming with 6:19 left in the second period off an assist from Risi.

However, Mott would score late to go up 5-3 at the second intermission.

Mott then went up 6-3 in the third period and Colin Johnson scored Lakeland’s final goal off an assist from Austin Adams.

Mitch Leist made 25 saves in net for the Eagles.

Prior to the loss, Lakeland advanced to the regional final with a 3-2 victory over host Hartland on Thursday, March 3.

Hartland opened the scoring with a first period power play goal from Chad Washburn off assists from Zach Bodziak and Nick Pleshakov.

Brandon Fry then scored for Hartland at the 11:20 mark of the second period off a Nick Manley assist.

Blanzy then led the comeback for Lakeland by scoring 29 seconds into the third period off assists from Graham Shearer and Evan Ronayne.

Blanzy then followed with his second goal at the 8:26 mark of the third period to tie the game at 2-2 off assists from Kyle Zunich and Ronayne.

Blanzy had a chance at a hat trick when he was awarded a penalty shot with 4 minutes left, but was denied by Hartland goalie Aaron Zedell.

However, Ryan Biondo answered the call and scored the game-winner on a blast over Zedell’s shoulder with 1:29 left and the Eagles knocked off their hosts.

Leist finished with 30 saves in net for the Eagles, while Zeddell had 19 saves for Hartland (12-11-1).

Lakeland began the regional tournament with a 4-1 victory over Walled Lake Central on Tuesday, March 1.

After a scoreless first period, the Eagles scored three goals credited to Kyle Zunich, Ryan Biondo and Joey Lepkowski.

Eric Peters scored Central’s (6-14-1) lone goal before Blanzy would cap off the scoring with 6:27 left in the game.

Leist finished with 29 saves in net for the Eagles. Jake Segedi made 20 saves for Central.