Huge Quarter-Final Victory
Wildcats defeat Milford Mavericks 2 - 1
3/7/2007 Submitted to Novi.org

In one of the most exciting games in recent memory, the Wildcats clinched a berth in the MHSAA Final Four last night by beating fellow KVC rivals, the Milford Mavericks, by a score of  2 - 1. This is the first time since the 2002-2003 season that the Cats have advanced to the prestigious Frozen Final Four.

Before a capacity crowd at Novi Ice Arena, the Wildcats showed everyone what "Playoff" hockey is all about, once again proving that what happens during the regular season has no bearing on how well the team can play when it really counts.

After a scoreless first period, the Wildcats came out fired up in the 2nd period, out-shooting Milford by a margin of 13-0. As unbelievable as it seems, the Wildcats did not allow a single shot on goal for the entire stanza. Taking full advantage of their incredible defense and well-balanced offense, the Cats got on the board first with a rebound goal scored by Senior Kyle Potocki, unassisted, at the 13:52 mark of the second period. The goal came off a dump-in shot by Senior Scott Eberline that bounced off a Milford player directly to the net. Going hard to the net on an alert play allowed Kyle Potocki to put the Cats ahead by a goal and allowed the Wildcats to score that all too important first goal of the game.

Hanging on to a slim one goal lead, the Wildcats battled hard in the third period but found themselves under pressure from a hard playing team from Milford. Suddenly on what appeared to be a bad line change, a Milford player was able to pick up a loose puck at the Novi blue line, skate in and bury the tying goal at the 7:27 mark of the third period.

Not to be outdone, and as has happened many times this season, Novi came roaring back with a goal of their own by Senior Jeff Donohue, assisted by Senior Shawn Baxter, just 57 seconds later to go up by one with 6:30 remaining in the contest.

Forced to kill off a late period penalty call, the Wildcats called on goaltender Kevin Michaluz to turn away a number of scoring chances by the Mavericks while on the power play.

Milford pulled their goalie for the extra attacker with under a minute remaining, but was unable to gain control of the puck or get off a shot on goal. With the hometown crowd on it's feet for most of the last period, the Wildcats killed off the remaining minute of play and celebrated a great Quarterfinal victory.

The Wildcats move on to the Final Four at Compuware Arena on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. against Mona Shores High School.  Compuware is located on Beck Road just north of M-14 in Plymouth Township.