Western edges past Lakeland for a 2-1 victory

An article by Michael Shelton    No Comments

Walled Lake Western spoiled Huron Valley Lakeland’s senior night at Lakeland Ice Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 8, as the Warriors pulled out a 2-1 victory over the Eagles.

The first period was scoreless before Western’s Zach Malles scored at the 8:57 mark of the second period off assists from AJ Patrick and Michael Marasco.

Bobby Schumacher scored on a breakaway for Lakeland to tie the score two minutes later.

Then, Lakeland (5-15-1 overall, 3-8 in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association North Division) was on the power-play when Western’s Wes Sjorgen scored a short-handed goal to give Western the lead back.

The Eagles then fired 18 shots at Western (5-12-3, 1-9 in the KLAA West) goalie Shane Kahn in the third period, but could not find the back of the net.

Kahn made 38 saves in net for Western, while Mitch Leist made 23 for Lakeland, which outshot Western, 39-25.

Lakeland then rebounded with a 2-1 victory over Dexter on Sunday, Feb. 12 at the Arctic Coliseum in Chelsea.

The Eagles fell behind early when Dexter scored short-handed in the first period.

Nick Kobak then scored for Lakeland unassisted to tie the score at 1-1 in the second period.

Kevin Lechner then scored the game-winner for Lakeland with 2:29 left in the third period.

Trevor Kalinowski stopped 23 of 24 shots for Lakeland.

Western also defeated Port Huron, 5-2, on Friday, Feb. 10 and then tied L’Anse Cruese 3-3 on Saturday, Feb. 11.

The Eagles will next play on Saturday, Feb. 18 at Lakeland Ice Arena.