Pee Wee AAA

Defense leads team to 3-1 win over Honeybaked in March 11 final in Taylor

Strong defensive play has been the calling card of the Compuware Pee Wee AAA team all season.

And that recipe carried the team to a 3-1 win over Honeybaked in the final of the Pee Wee AAA state tournament on March 11 at the Taylor Sportsplex.

“We have a great group of guys on this team,” said an elated Compuware coach Andy Copp. "Once again, our defense provided the way and it has been our strong point all year.”

Compuware recorded two shutouts in the tournament, including a 3-0 win over Little Caesars in the semifinals, and goaltender Zach Nageivoort praised his teammates who cleared the traffic in front of the net.

"I was able to see pretty much everything in front of me,” said Nageivoort.

Honeybaked coach Todd Gardiner said the teams had met many times this season so a close game was no surprise.

"I think if you look back it's been pretty even,” said Gardiner. "It's always good, clean, hardnosed hockey. They never blow us out and we never blow them out.” Honeybaked dropped its opening round robin game, then rebounded with back-to-back shut outs, outscoring their opponents 13-2. They beat Belle Tire 3-2 as Cameron Heath notched the game winner in double overtime to advance to the finals.

Honeybaked goaltender Brandon Hope was also solid as both teams played it close to start the game. They key save in the first period came in the last minute on a great play from Nageivoort who did the splits on a backhand shot near the far post. The game remained scoreless until there were seven minutes left and then both teams combined for three goals.

"Honeybaked is a team that likes to trap,” explained Copp on the first half defensive struggle. "It tends to slow the game down.”

Honeybaked drew first blood in the third period as Robert Ault scored unassisted.

"The goal I let in, I don't even know how it happened I just kind of lost control of it for a second and the puck found its way into the net,” said Nageivoort.

But less than two minutes later, Compuware tied the game on the power play after a terrific play from Joe Cox. Cox received a pass at the side of the net and showed extreme patience and poise to settle the puck down before roofing it. Compuware scored what proved to be the winner with 10:11 left in the game as Andrew Copp Jr., who was later named most valuable player, scored from a scramble in front. Jacob Tourba had the lone assist. Ryan Lowney's open net goal with five seconds left secured the win.

"Winning the game feels great,” revealed Copp Jr. "Our team played really well. We lost to these guys last month at the Quebec tournament, but today it was our turn and it was just a great total team effort.”

Despite the loss, Gardiner was proud of his team's effort.

"Our kids gave it everything they had,” said Gardiner. "Take nothing away from Compuware, they were hungry, and they wanted it.”

Pee Wee AAA Notebook

B.J. Kaicz, Brady Vail and Patrick Sieioff all scored for Compuware in their 3-0 win over Little Caesars in the semis… In Honeybaked’s 3-2 semi win over Belle Tire, Cameron Yarwood, Joshua Henke and Cameron Heath scored, while Kyle Shreve and John P. Lucchese had single markers for Belle Tire… Dearborn Brand didn’t score in their three games… In Compuware's 5-2 win over Little Caesars both Drew Dorantes and Andrew Copp Jr. scored two goals while Patrick Sieioff added three assists for the winners… Brad Pung scored twice in Victory Honda's 3-0 win over Dearborn Brand . . . Nicholas Schilkey scored four goals and Joshua Henke, along with Bryan Yim, each had three assists in Honeybaked's 9-0 win over Dearborn Brand… Sammy Hodhod lit the lamp twice in Little Caesars 4-1 win over Victory Honda… Both B.J. Kolzc and Drew Dorantes scored a pair of goals and Travis Hindle added two assists in Compuware's 8-0 shut out win over Dearborn Brand . . . Cam Gibson, Brian Scarfone, Chase Matson, and Timmy Moore dented the twine in Belle Tire 4-0 win over Victory Honda . . . Tyler Gardiner totaled two points (1 goal, 1 assist) as Honeybaked beat Little Caesars 3-0.

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