Bantam B

Share’s goal gives Panthers a 4-3 overtime win over Durand Metro Stars

In and tight, well-played game, Ben Share’s overtime goal gave the Mt. Clemens Panthers a 4-3 win over the Durand Metro Stars and the Bantam B state title on March 11 at the Cheboygan Pavilion.

When it came down to the wire, Mt. Clemens got a MVP performance from Alex Johansons, who scored all five goals in an earlier 5-4 win over the Stars and set up Share’s game winner in the final’s extra session.

“I thought to myself, should I shoot it?” said Johansons. “But then I saw Ben coming up on the side and I knew he could take the shot. Both of their guys started to close in on me and their goalie was looking at me so I just slid it over and as soon as he shot it, I knew it was in.”

“We knew what (Johansons could do,” said Metro Stars coach Tim Polakowski. “Not only did he score goals, but he set up players. He’s just a great all around player.

“I just wish we could have come out a little bit better on this end, but the kids played well and we were happy to be here.”

The game-winning goal came after a neutral zone turnover after the Panthers pummeled the net, blasting Metro Star goalie DJ Reesman with six shots. Reesman made 22 saves in the loss.

“He was good,” Johansons said of Reesman. “I give him a lot of credit. He kept them in the game.”

The game was back and fourth struggle preceding the overtime showdown, as the Panthers got on the board first with Richard Kobylski scored an unassisted goal. John Iadipaolo responded for the Stars scoring with help from TJ Polakowski.

The Stars went up 2-1 in the first period on Conner Bigelow’s unassisted goal, but Johansons tied it at the end of the period Panthers. Johansons scored again with 26.1 seconds in the second period with help from Share to give the Panthers a 3-2 lead. Joey Kazmier scored the Stars’ third goal to tie up the game on a power play and got help from Antonio Schippono.

“It was great game,” Panthers coach Dave Share said. “The kids played tough. It was a great team. Very disciplined, moved the puck well, great skaters. But our kids just stepped up and played well.”

Bantam B Notebook

The Panthers ousted the Trenton Huskies 8-7 in the semifinals. Johansons and Kyle horn each scored twice for the Panthers with other single goals coming from Max Baker, Share, Nathan Prytula and Zac Chamberlin. Ryan Kelly had a hat trick and Jeffery Henegar and Patrick Doncov each with two goals for the Huskies... The Stars made their finals appearance after beating Iron Range Country Kitchen 8-1 in the semifinals. The Stars Nick Manley, Jake Veenhuis and John Iadipaolo each had two goals and TJ Polakowski had one. Scoring for Iron Range was Tyler Nault... Tawas Huron beat the Muskegon Chiefs 6-4 with two goals from Nathan Koenig and singles from Alex Phillips, Ryan Kaschner, Nick Revord and Dylan Loga. Mike Holstege had two goals while Sean Kersting and Dyla Swiatek each had one for the Chiefs... Iron Range beat Cheboygan Lions Club 7-1 and Kyle Michaellion and Tyler Destaroins each with two goals. Tyler Nault, Jason Koske and Cody Lane each with one. Nick Beard had Cheboygan’s lone goal... The Huskies and Livonia Flyers tied 4-4, as Charles Kuder Jr. scored twice and Mike Kutek and Mike Gambino once for Livonia. Scoring for the Huskies was Matt Woodring, Patrick Doncov, Ryan Kelley and Jeffery Henegar... Salim Al-Shatel scored both goals for the Chiefs in a 7-2 loss to Mt. Clemens... The Flyers beat the Lions Club 4-3 on Mike Kutek’s second of the game in third period. Kyle Wagel and Jacob Meadows also scored and the Lions got goals from Nick Beard, Spencer Woodgate and Danny Stacks…Nick Manley had a hat trick in the Stars 6-2 win over Tawas, who got goals from Nathan Koenig and Ryan Kaschner... Tyler Nault had four goals in Iron Range’s 6-1 win over Livonia. The Flyers goal came from Kyle Wagel... Ryan Kelley had five goals in the Huskies 13-4 over the Lions Club. Scoring for the Lions Club was Nick Beard with a pair with Matt Brandt and Eryn Eustice each with one… Nick Manley had a hat trick and Sean Rusaw, John Iadipaolo and Evan Latner each had one goal in the Stars 6-2 win over the Chiefs, who got goals from Ben Anonick and Kyle Wyman.

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