After a sluggish start with two loses in the Metro Invitational Shootout last weekend to both Northville and Livonia Churchill, the Novi Wildcats Varsity Hockey team came back with a big win in their first KVC League game against Milford Wednesday evening at the Novi Ice Arena.

With alumni from last year's Regional Championship team in attendance for the unveiling of the Wildcat's sixth Regional Championship banner, the 'Cats came out firing on all cylinders with three quick goals in the first period. Goals from Adam Szajner, Sean Murphy, and Tom Dircks with assists from Nolan Valleau, Robbie Knurek, Tyler Perpich, Kyle Masiarczyk, and Tyler Manning, helped the Wildcats get off to a quick start and a 3-0 lead after the first period.

A goal by Milford at the 11:36 mark of the second period helped get them back into the game, but Sean Murphy’s second goal of the game only fourteen seconds later helped to maintain the Cats three goal lead. Assisting on Murphy’s second goal of the game were Kyle Masiarczyk and Nolan Valleau notching his second assist of the night. Another goal at the 7:02 mark of the second period by Bryan Winkle, with assists to Captain Andrew Haggerty and Erik Aepelbacher gave the Wildcats a 5-1 lead going into the third period. Senior Kevin Michalzuk made several outstanding saves in goal during the first two periods helping keep Milford at bay.

Five penalties by the Wildcats in the third period helped allow Milford to outshoot the Cats 19-3. Making his varsity debut in goal was Freshman Michael Pesendorfer who turned away 17 of the 19 shots he faced, many of which came during shorthanded situations. With a man advantage late in the third period, Milford elected to pull their goaltender for a six on four advantage and was able to score their third goal of the game making the final score 5-3 Novi.

The Wildcats next game is scheduled as an away game against KVC rival, the Pinckney Pirates on Wednesday, November 28th at 5:30 p.m. The next scheduled home game for the 'Cats is Wednesday, December 5th against Lakeland at Novi Ice Arena at 6:30 p.m.