Diaz Scores Twice To Help Freshman Goalie Earn First Win

CHELSEA — The Saline Hornets exacted revenge on the Pinckney Pirates in a 4-2 win at the Arctic Coliseum Saturday evening.

While the non-conference game is one Saline’s schedule every year, the Hornets were looking to pay back the Pirates, who eliminated Saline in the regional tournament last year. Saline, who snapped a two-game slide, improved to 6-4-1.

“We like them on the schedule because they’re always a well-coached team and they play that old, tough, Kensington Valley Conference brand of hockey. But it was nice to get a little revenge,” said Saline’s head coach Drew Denzin.

Freshman goalie Chris Krueger settled down after giving up two first period goals to win in his first start. Antonio Diaz scored twice. Trevor Carey’s goal midway through the third period stood as the winner. James Olson provided insurance with a marker late in the third period.

Saline opened the midway through the first Diaz jammed home a loose puck after a shot by Ryan McNulty.

The Pirates tied the game two minutes later when Alex Hall set up Mitch Bona in the slot. Bona’s slap shot from 15 feet beat Krueger cleanly with 5:45 to play in the first period. The goal seemed to tilt the ice in favor of the Pirates. With 2:45 to play in the period Ben Lotz’s slapshot from the blueline found its way through a maze of players and beat Krueger on the blocker side for a 2-1 lead.

The Hornets controlled play in the second period, dumping the puck behind the Pirates’ net and battling for the loose puck against the physical Pirates’ defense. The Pirates took three penalties in the third. Saline was unable to score on a five-on-three advantage. But the Hornets finally tied the game 12 seconds after the second penalty expired. McNulty intercepted a clearing attempt to keep the pressure on, drew a couple defenders and dished off to Carey, who was stopped by a stick save at the side of the goal. The rebound went to Diaz, who put the puck the goalie to tie the game with 10:23 to play in the period.

Saline continued to dominate the period, even getting the better scoring chances while killing penalties. But the Hornets couldn’t find the back of the net and the period ended tied at two.

The Pirates were the better team to start the third, forcing turnovers and chasing the Hornets around their end.

“With the holidays we haven’t practiced much and it showed sometimes. We got caught watching the puck a few times tonight,” Denzin said.

Krueger and the Saline defense held the fort and Saline began skating.

With nine minutes to play and the Hornet forecheck giving the Pirates fits, the Hornets scores scored the winner. Adam Haas and Zack Mitchell outworked a Pirate behind the Pinckney goal. Mitchell brought the puck out front and found Carey between the circles. Carey used the defenseman in front of him as a screen and ripped a wristshot over the goalie’s blocker for a 3-2 lead.

With just under three minutes to play, after a great forecheck forced a turnover inside the Pinckney blueline, Wyatt Ford and Olson found themselves on a mini two-on-one in the Pirates’ slot. Ford passed to Olson who one-timed it past the goalie for a 3-2 lead.

returns to action against Skyline Saturday.