Novi Hockey Splits Metro Tourney
Wildcats fall to Stevenson 4-3, defeat Utica 4-3
11/20/2006 by Scott Olson

The 2006 - 2007 hockey season started over the weekend with the much anticipated Metro Tourney at the Novi Ice Arena. Participating was Novi, Northville, Livonia Stevenson and Utica Eisenhower.

Friday evening, Novi fell to Livonia Stevenson 4 - 3 in a close game. Scoring for Novi was Andrew Haggerty, Tom Dircks and Craig Howell. Kevin Michalzuk was solid in net.

Assistant Coach Travis Malott explained following the game, "It was a really exciting hockey game. It came right down to the wire. We hit a few posts in the closing minutes of the game. The game could have went either way. We took a lot of penalties in the second period which really hurt us."

Saturday, the Wildcats faced-off against Utica Eisenhower - an exciting game down to the final half-second. That's when Andrew Haggerty scored to break a 3 - 3 tie and give the Wildcats a 4 - 3 victory. Also scoring for Novi in that game was Adam Szajner, Art Ferriss, and Shawn Baxter. Goalies Kevin Michalzuk and Joe DeNova split net-minding duties.

Northville won overall, defeating Livonia Stevenson 3 - 0 in the championship game Saturday.

Wildcat senior defenseman Scott Eberline was named to the All-Tournament Team. He had two assists for Novi over the weekend, and was a strong force keeping the opponents at bay.

Regular season conference action starts Wednesday at the Novi Ice Arena with a 6:00 p.m. game vs. the Milford Mavericks.