April 25, 2011

CW ALUMNUS WIN ACHA DII NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Two former Comet-Warriors, Jake Ochsner ('07) and Doug Smotel ('09), are members of the 2010-2011 Grand Valley Lakers ACHA DII National Championship team.  The Lakers defeated Michigan State University 6-1. 

March 29, 2011

AUSTIN HULL - 2011 LANSING STATE JOURNAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Heading into the 2010-11 season, Grand Ledge/Waverly standout goaltender Austin Hull drew inspiration from goalie Jim Craig of the 1980 U.S. gold-medal winning, 'Miracle on Ice' team.

"(Craig) said he wanted to give his team a chance to win every game they played in," Hull said. "I definitely wanted, in every game we played in, to give our team a chance to win."

Hull's philosophy was put to the test this season, as the Comets suffered multiple long-term injuries at the forward position, putting added pressure on the senior goalie to keep the puck out of the net.

"There was a point where we only had 13 kids. We were winning games 1-0 and 2-1. He elevated his level," Grand Ledge/Waverly coach Brian Clifford said. "He faced a lot of adversity with guys in and out of the lineup."

Hull, a three-time State Journal all-area Dream Team selection, rose to the challenge, posting a 2.11 goals-against average in CAAC play. He led the Comets to a 17-7-4 overall record.

"In order to have a good team, you've got to have a good goalie," Hull said. "Every team has their nights off. They're going to get outshot, out-chanced and you need goalies to help you out in those games."

"From a coaching standpoint, he's a perfect all-around kid," Clifford added. "His compete level is very high. He comes to practice every day with a level of expectation to work hard and be the best he can be."

Though the team finished fourth in the league, it was a special season for Grand Ledge/Waverly. The Comets got to play outdoors at Michigan Stadium on Dec. 7, days before 'The Big Chill at the Big House' that pitted rivals Michigan State and Michigan against each other.

Grand Ledge/Waverly tied New Boston 1-1.

"The highlight of my year was playing at 'The Big House'," Hull said. "I've been going to football games there since I was four years old.

"It's similar to playing on a pond. It was cool. As soon as the game started, it started snowing."

The Comets' season came to an end on March 2 in the Division 1 pre-regional in a 1-0 loss to Kalamazoo United.

Hull said he was proud of how his team stuck together despite suffering so many injuries throughout the year.

"I thought for what happened and all the adversity, we had a heck of a year," Hull said. "We were in every game we played in."

Written byTim Weatherhead
twweatherh@lsj.com

March 14, 2011

SPRING HOCKEY

The Comet-Warriors look to rebuild after losing 10 seniors for next season. Anyone interested in Playing spring hockey should e-mail their name, grade, school, position, mailing address and phone number to this address:  info@cwvarsityhockey.com.

March 7, 2011

END OF SEASON FOR THE COMET-WARRIORS

The Grand Ledge /Waverly Varsity Hockey Team ended their season with the teams annual awards banquet. Last Sunday the Comet warriors honored their players as well as parents and fans. Comet warrior head coach Brian Clifford said " it was an honor to coach such a bunch of hard working kids". The team lost 4 players in early January due to injury and were missing as many as 7 by mid January.  The team finished the season with a 17-7-3 record and a 4th place finish in the Capital Area Activities Conference league standings. The team also won all 3 tournaments it played in this year, the Andy Hanichen Thanksgiving Classic, the Grand Ledge / Waverly Varsity Hockey Invitational, and the Tri-City Chiefs Invitational Tournament. Along with that, the Comet-Warriors played an unforgettable game at the Big House in an outdoor game vs. New Boston Huron that ended in a 1-1 OT Tie on 12-7-10 and then attended the outdoor game MSU vs. U of M on 12-11-10. The team started the year off with a father - son trip to Toronto and the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The banquet awards can be found here.   

February 28, 2011

END OF THE REGULAR SEASON

The Grand Ledge /Waverly varsity hockey team ended its regular season this past weekend with a 6-1 win on senior night vs. Flint Kearsley. The Comet warriors honored 7 seniors: Peter Blanchett, Nick Patino, Brandon Coates, Dominic Roy, Treven Fech, Jack klingbiel and Austin Hull. CW goal scorers included Vince Gessler (2), Jack Klingbiel, Blake Opie, Drew Isaacson, and Nick Patino.

The Comet warriors ended the season with a 16-6-3 record and won 3 tournament titles. The Comet Warriors will now travel to Kalamazoo in the regional quarter final to play Wayland Unity Knights on Monday 2/28 at 6:00pm. The winner to play Kalamazoo United on Wednesday March 2 at 6:00pm at the Annex in Kalamazoo.

February 7, 2011

TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS

The Grand Ledge Waverly Varsity hockey team traveled to Flint this past weekend for the Tri City Invitational tournament. In the first of 2 games the Comet Warriors beat the combined team of Freeland/Carrollton by a score of 8-3.  Goal scorers included: Adam Epstein,  Aaron Mohnke, Nick Patino, Sterling Barnas, Vince Gessler, Alec Faggion, Brad Kurzynowski, and Kendrick Barnas. Austin Hull and Collin Witt split the game making 20 saves combined.

In the Championship game the Comets faced the host team the Tri-City Chiefs composed of 3 schools Lake Fenton, Linden, and Durand.  The Comet Warriors beat the Chiefs 4-3 to win the  tournament.  Goal scorers included: Jack Klingbiel and Vince Gessler.  Austin Hull made 25 saves to preserve the championship win.  (photos can be found here.)

The Comet-Warriors will get ready to host the Motown Showdown in Detroit's Clark Park for 2 more outdoor games on Friday February 18 vs. Clio/Lakeville and Saturday February 19 vs. Holt, both games are at 8:30 pm.  This will be the team's 2nd and 3rd outdoor games of the year, the first played at the University of Michigan's football stadium this past December. Tickets for both games are on sale now at all home games. Tickets are $5.00 presale and $6.00 game days.

January 27, 2011

WOUNDED WARRIORS

The Comet Warriors, down seven skaters due to various ailments, etc., held on tight last weekend and came away with a tie and a win.  Friday night CW tied Holt 1-1, and on Saturday morning at the CAAC Showcase game the Comets Warriors defeated the Patriots 1-0.  Congratulations to Sterling Barnas who scored the game's only goal, the first of his varsity career, five minutes into the third period, with an assist from Chris White. (LSJ article here, photos here.)

January 9, 2011

WEEKEND WINNERS

The Comet Warriors traveled across town on Friday night to play league opponent the Eastside Stars. The Comets started off strong as Jack Klingbiel found the back of the net just 35 seconds into the game on the power play. The Stars countered with back to back goals at 11:35 and 10:32 of the first. CW evened the score with :24 seconds left in the first period on a goal by Brandon Coates, assisted by Jack Klingbiel and Vice Gessler. In the second period Treven Fech scored the go ahead goal on a scramble in front  of the net at 9:41. Fech scored again with 2:57 remaining in the second period. In the third, Fech scored the hat trick with 22 seconds remaining in the game to make the score 5-2. Austin Hull made 21 saves to preserve the win. Coach

On Saturday the team hosted its 4th annual Military Appreciation Night at the Summit vs. Kalamazoo. Kalamazoo opened the scoring at 8:46 of the first period on a scramble in front of net.  In the second period CW finally opened up their scoring attack, at 10:41 of the second period Drew Isaacson scored on a beautiful pass from Angelo Barnes, to make the score 1-1. Vince Gessler also assisted on the goal. Just over a minute later, Isaacson broke through the defense and unloaded a shot that beat the K-zoo goalie to make the score 2-1, Treven Fech picked up the assist. CW continued to press in the offensive zone and at 5:41 of the second period Adam-Juan Epstein scored on a top shelf shot on the power play assisted by Jack Klingbiel and Brandon Coates. At the 1:00 mark of the second period Angelo Barnes made a solo rush and scored to make the score 4-1. In the third Kalamazoo scored at the 10:09 mark to make it 4-2, but that is how it would end. Austin hull recorded the win making 22 saves.

More Military Appreciation Night pictures: CLICK HERE.

The Comet-Warriors next game is Friday night the 14th against DeWitt-St. Johns at MUNN Ice Arena on the campus of Michigan State University.

January 6, 2011

SCHEDULE CORRECTION

The Friday February 11th game was incorrectly shown to be away in Jackson.  That is a home game and will be played at the Summit.  We hope to see you there! 

 

Our next home game will be Saturday January 8 vs. Kalamazoo at 7:00 pm at the Summit. This game will also be the team's 4th annual MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT. 

Happy Holidays to you and yours from
Grand Ledge/Waverly Varsity Hockey !

December 21, 2010

HONORS

Two former CW players were inducted into the Lansing State Journal all decade team. Graduates #17 Robby Jaglowski (2008) and #23 Evan Olds (2009) both made the CAAC All-decade team. "I am so proud of Robby and Evan" said Clifford. "You could not pick 2 better all around players. They are great hockey players, great students and great people.  It was a privilege for me to have had the opportunity to coach such fine young men." Olds is currently playing at Grand Valley State University and Jaglowski is studying at Michigan State University.

 

December 21, 2010

HONORING

The team's next home game will be Saturday January 8 vs. Kalamazoo at 7:00 pm at the summit. This game will also be the team's 4th annual MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT. The team will honor all military personnel (who will get in to the game for free).  Also, the team will wear their special camouflage uniforms. Come early for special presentations "Saluting Our Heroes" the men and women of the armed forces. "We are so proud to honor all of the branches of the military, it is important for our young people to understand what our military does on a daily basis to keep our country safe and free" said Coach Clifford " it is a privilege to honor our troops".

December 20, 2010

CW INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONS

This past weekend the Grand Ledge/Waverly Varsity Hockey Team held its annual GLW Varsity Hockey Invitational. The Comet warriors faced the Tri City Chiefs (Durand, Lake Fenton, and Linden). In the opening game of the tournament the Comet warriors defeated Tri-City by a score of 3-1. There was no scoring in a close checking game through the first period until Tri City found the back of the net with 2:42 remaining in the first period. CW faced a tough goalie until 3:53 of the second period when junior Vince Gessler found the net on a rebound on a shot taken by Drew Isaacson. That was Gessler's first Varsity Goal to even the score at 1-1  after 2 periods. The third period was all CW - a goal by Treven Fech at 11:36, assisted by Vince Gessler and Dylan Deatsman.  A minute 26 seconds later Vince Gessler on a power play again found the back of the net to give the Comet-Warriors a 3-1 lead, assists went to Drew Isaacson and Angelo Barnes. Austin Hull made several key saves including a breakaway to seal the victory and send the team to the Championship game on Saturday.

 

Saturday the Comet Warriors faced The Unity Knight from Wayland. Jack-John Klingbiel opened the scoring at 14:25 of the first on a beautiful passing play from Vince Gessler and Angelo Barnes.  In the second period it was all Comet Warriors. At 8:43 Vince Gessler found the net as he deflected a pass from Angelo Barnes on a power play. At 5:11 Treven Fech made it 3-0 on a solo effort after taking a pass from Drew Isaacson and beating the Knights defensemen. Drew Isaacson found the net on a blast from the blueline at 4:40 of the second period assisted by Barnes and Klingbiel to make it 4-0. Jack Klingbiel scored shorthanded at 12:11 of the third period unassisted and Angelo Barnes finished out the scoring with 2:12 remaining assisted by Blake Opie. The Unity Knight scored 3 straight goals in the last 3 minutes to make it interesting, however the Comet warriors held on for a 6-3 win and the tournament Championship.

December 10, 2010

DIAL "M" FOR THE BIG HOUSE

On Tuesday, December 7, 2010 the Comet-Warriors challenged the Chiefs of New Boston High School to a little game of pond hockey at the the Big House in Ann Arbor.  The 1-1 OT tie was emblematic of the day:  when you get to take a day off of school and play in Michigan Stadium on an outdoor rink that will soon host a game to 113,000 people --- well, nobody could possibly lose in that scenario!

 

A complete set of pictures is available at:    http://kbfotos.smugmug.com/Sports 

November 22, 2010

LEAGUE GAMES BEGIN

On Friday November 20 the Grand Ledge / Waverly varsity hockey team opened its regular season with a 2-0 home victory over the Eastside Stars.  Jack Klingbiel broke the scoreless game with a rebound in front of the Eastside goaltender, with assists going to Angelo Barnes and Aaron Mohnke. In the third period, with the score still 1-0, CW killed off a 5-on-3 power play, and then scored on a 2-on-0 breakaway as the penalties expired.   Treven Fech made a great pass to Tyler Wise who then returned the puck back to Fech for the goal.

 

On Saturday night November 21 CW hosted the Okemos Chiefs. Senior captain Jack Klingbiel found the back of the net on a solo effort to put the game at 1-0. The shots were 25-15 in favor of CW, with Austin Hull getting his second shutout in a row.

 

 

 

November 15, 2010

EXHIBITION GAME RESULTS

The Grand Ledge / Waverly Varsity hockey team opened the year off with wins against Kalamazoo United and Durand/Lake Fenton.  Friday night in Kalamazoo the Comet Warriors got goals from Patino (3), Fech, Wise and Epstein on their way to a 6-2 victory.  On Saturday night at the Summit, CW got goals from Klingbiel (2), Barnes, and the Crusher.

November 8, 2010

HOCKEY HALL OF FAME WEEKEND

The Grand Ledge / Waverly Varsity hockey team just arrived home from their father/son weekend trip to Toronto.  The Comet Warriors visited the Hockey Hall of Fame (this was also induction weekend).  The players visited with the Stanley Cup and toured the museum. The team then went to dinner at Wayne Gretzky's restaurant in downtown Toronto and witnessed the live broadcast of Power Play the NHL simulcast talk show discussing all the NHL activities going on in the league.

 

 

The team practiced on Saturday night at the MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence, the official practice facility of the Toronto Maple Leafs. On Sunday the team travelled to the Rogers Centre to watch the Buffalo Bills play the Chicago Bears in a regular season NFL game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The team will now get ready for upcoming games this weekend vs. Kalamazoo Friday night in K-zoo, and home at the Summit Saturday night vs. Durand, 7pm.

The Grand Ledge / Waverly varsity hockey team is now
HEADing for another successful season! 

We HEAD off the season with an exhibition game
in Kalamazoo on Friday, November 12th,
and then we HEAD back to the Summit for an exhibition
game against Durand on Saturday, November 13th. 

So please come join us.  Just HEAD on down to the rink!

P.S.  There is no apparent truth to the rumor that certain games this year were required to be played outside due to the cranium size of a certain unmentioned player.  No truth whatsoever.  Nope. J

...want to join the best student section in all of high school sports?

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• TEAM TRIP:  All interested  2010-2011 players will need proper identification to enter Canada.  A passport or birth certificate will work for minors.  A passport or enhanced driver's license will be necessary for anyone over 18.  Please do not wait until the last minute.  Be prepared to travel by November 1.