Celebrating a playoff victory

Indians advance to the state championships with a 3-1 win over the Lansing Capitals

In a do or die game the Indians put together one of their best games of the year. The players came out determined to win and after putting several shots on the the net Seiya Hayata started a power play rush from our end feeding Frankie Pucci who set up Andrew Barbeau for a one time shot to open the scoring. With two minutes remaining in first period Pucci fed Barbeau for shot from the point that went off Cole Lussier to put the Indians up 2-0 at
the end of the first period. The second period was played scoreless. The Capitals finally got on the board in the third period to get within one, but from that point on Jared Sauve shut door in net and with two seconds remaining Casey Gilling solidified the win with an empty net goal with the assist going to Lussier. Sauve took the win in net.

The Indians now advance to the State Championships in Detroit starting March 12th.

Indians defeat the Lansing Capitals 2-1 in game two of the best 2 out of three series

In second game of the playoff series it was fast and tight just like the first game, however in this one the Indians were able to capitalize on the their chances and came out victorious. In the first period Frankie Pucci beat their defenseman and went in to bury a shot past their goalie from Casey Gilling to take a 1-0, however 5 minutes later Lansing tied the game up. In the second period bought teams had their opportunities and power play chances. The Indians played exceptional along with stellar play by goaltender Jared Sauve to killed off a 5-3 power play to keep the game tied. Then while killing another penalty Pucci stripped the puck off their defenseman and went in to deke their goaltender for a shorthanded goal assisted by Cole Lussier which turned out to be game winner. Neither team scored in the third. Jared Sauve took the win net.

Tomorrow morning at 9:30 am the teams will play their third game of the series with winner moving on to the state championships in Taylor Michigan March 12th.

Indians drop a heartbreaker in overtime in the first playoff game

In a battle of two evenly matched teams it took overtime and a penalty shot to determine a winner. From the drop of the puck it was continuous up and down action with hard hitting and good opportunities for both teams. The first period was played evenly, in the second Lansing got on the scoreboard on a powerplay to take the lead. The Indians Ashton Calder answered back at 10:48 of the second period with an assist going to Trevor Jestadt. They continued the fast pace but neither team could find the net and at the end of regulation it remained 1-1. In overtime the Indians had several golden scoring chances but the Captials goalie came up big and with 3 minutes remaining they got in a breakaway and the defense had no choice but to take him down. On the ensuing penalty shot Lansing converted to take the 2-1 win. Jared Sauve played excellent in net but took the loses.

Both teams return to the ice at 6 pm Saturday night. The Indians now have to win two games in a row to make it to the State Championships

Indians complete the sweep of west Michigan hounds 5-2

In final game of the regular season the put together a solid game in all areas of the ice. From the drop of the puck they Indians put pressure on the Hounds and at the 17:28 of the first Casey Gilling scored on great passing from Frankie Pucci and Trevor Jestadt. In second period the pressure continued with Pucci winning the battle in front of the net and buried it behind their goaltender to give them a 2-0 lead, assists going to Kyle Yates and Jestadt. Approximately two minutes later Trevor Jestadt was hauled down on a breakaway and award a penalty shot, he made no mistake and put a nice shot between the legs of the hounds goaltender to give them 3-0 lead. West Michigan finally scored on a breakaway to get on the board however Brenden MacLaren answered back for the Indians when he put a perfect shot over the shoulder of their goalie on a two on one, assists going to Cade Nolan and Landon Hubbard. The Hounds got their second goal at the 14:43 mark and again the Indians answered on unassisted goal by Mike Miller and the teams went to their dressing rooms with the Indians up 5-2. In the third both teams had great scoring chances but neither team could buy one and game ended 5-2. Jared Sauve played excellent in the net taking the win. The Indians finish the regular season with a record of 29 wins, 22 loses, and 1 tie.

The Indians head to Lansing next weekend to take on the Lansing Capitals in the state playing at the summit arena.