Powers Defeats Milford 7-2

By: DJ Shubeck:  Powers Hockey Writer

Game Recap- Powers vs. Milford Mavericks 2-4-2020

The Powers Catholic Chargers Varsity hockey team was back home at Iceland Arena for a Tuesday evening non-league stint with The Mavericks from Milford.  Powers would get back on the winning side of the ledger with a 7-2 victory and improve to 12-4-2 overall.  Powers Senior goalie, Brenden Churchill was sturdy between the pipes for the chargers, turning away 17 of 19 Milford shots earning his 6th victory of the season.

The teams would each score 2 goals in the first session, with Powers taking the lead on its first shift.  Senior Tim Washburn’s shot from between the circles somehow eluded Milford Senior goalie, Tyler Kerr, and dribbled in to give Powers the early lead. Senior, Joey Carpenter, was credited with the assist on the Washburn goal. Kerr would settle in and make several spectacular saves that kept the game 1-0 Powers for most of the period. Powers seemed in control, but a turnover deep in their own zone resulted in a Milford goal by Junior Kazuma Bowring. Bowring’s one timed a beautiful cross ice pass from Sophomore Pierce Ashcroft, beating Churchill short side, tying the game. Junior Austin Combs also assisted on the Milford goal. Powers reclaimed the lead with just over 5 minutes left as Joey Carpenter turned on the jets and cut around a Milford defensemen, froze Kerr with a forehand move, then backhanded it past him, making it 2-1 Powers.  Junior, Tyler Lawrence and Tim Washburn assisted on the Carpenter goal. A power play goal with 3 minutes remaining in the first period gave Milford life as the initial shot was stopped by Churchill but the rebound was misplayed by the Powers defense at the side of the net and Milford Senior, Tyler Tori, knocked in the loose puck tying the game again!  Shots in the first period heavily favored Powers 16-6.

Powers started the second period the same as the first, scoring again on the first shift, this time unassisted and shorthanded!  Joey Carpenter intercepted a clearing pass by the Milford defense and moved in on Kerr roofing a shot glove side for his second goal of the game. Powers kept the play in the Milford end for a majority of the period, working hard along the boards and getting several decent scoring chances. The hard work paid off as an aggressive fore-check by Senior Tommy Shubeck, freed up the puck to Sophomore, Brenden Tarpening, who spotted Sophomore, Jacques Lavrack at the back door of the Milford net. Lavrack’s shot was stopped by Kerr but Tarpening quickly followed up and banged home the rebound making it 4-2 Powers! Milford had an opportunity to cut into the Powers lead with the man advantage, however, the Powers penalty killers limited Milford to only one quality chance on the power play.  Powers would out-shoot Milford 14-6 in the second stanza.

Powers would again start a period with a goal on the first shift! This time Tyler Lawrence would score from a pass by Freshman, Kyle Barbour, on a 2-1 break. Tim Washburn would add the other assist that extended the lead to 5-2.  Powers then made it 6-2 on a goal by, Luke Cramer, his first goal of the season! Kyle Barbour added his 2nd assist of the game as he spotted Cramer cutting to the net as a 2-1 opportunity developed just inside the Milford zone. The scoring ended as Joey Carpenter completed his hat-trick and 4 point night, with a quick snap shot between the circles with 8 minutes left in the contest and Tim Washburn added his 3rd assist and 4th point of the game. For the game, Powers out-shot Milford 50-19.

Powers Coach, Travis Perry commented that “this was a good bounce back win for us, we got stronger as the game went on.”  Powers will participate in the MIHL Showcase Tournament this weekend in Trenton.