The Zam finishes up the ice ...

... Timing & Scoring and the Gatekeepers are set to go ...

... the Officials are ready ...

... as are the Players ...

... for this Quarter Final Game ...

... of this Division 4A Tier II 18U National Championship.

For these Mt. Clemens Wolves ...

... this Pursuit of the National Championship ...

... has been an Arduous Journey ...

... of over Sixty Midget AA/AAA Games ...

... starting way back in August with Scrims ...

... then, Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League Contests ...

... Silver Stick at The Shores ... then Sarnia, Ontario ...

... Michigan Districts ... then the Michigan State Championships ...

... and, now, the End-of-the-Road ... Rochester.

A very long ride to this place ...

The Wildcats take the Action down low ...

... forcing a Wolves Penalty at Ten Minutes P1 ...

... causing Goaler #33 Chris Gagleard and Hiz Dee some Extra Work ...

... then, Another One at 9:05 ...

... and, Warwick makes even More Work for the K-Team ...

... Closing In for First Blood ...

... with that Goal going to #44 Peter Malamud, unassisted ...

... on the 5-on-3 Power-Play.

So, Warwick holds the Lead ...

... and is Skating with Authority ...

... at This Point ...

... in This Win-or-Go-Home Game ...

... for Both Sides.

Well, when you think about it ...

... what are the Chances of Your Team ...

... even Being Here at this point in the Season?

Practically Unthinkable, actually!

Mt. Clemens almost has the Equalizer, here ...

... but, #35 Jesse Goldberg is Keeping 'Em Out ...

... until #19 Sam Clever and #16 Jon Troyer ...

... Put It In with Time Expiring in P1.

Coach Leger would like More Offense ...

... and, Coach Montagna would, too!

Offense you say?

These Boyz have been ...

... Putting It On Net for a Lifetime ...

... with Some stepping on the Ice before Kindergarten ...

What you are is what you breathe ...

Michigan takes another Penalty ...

... They would take Nine to Warwick's Four, today ...

... giving Their Special Teams ...

... Plenty of Ice-Time ...

... but, Goaltending and Defense ...

... were Up-to-the-Task ...

... as is usually the case ...

... in These Games.

Friends and Family in the Stands ...

... and, on the Glass ...

... Years of Support and Encouragement ...

... but, Nothing Lasts Forever ...

At around Halfway in P2 ...

... #14 Eric Ritonja Sneaks One past Warwick ...

... Thankyouguyz ...

... to Take the Lead ...

Most of These Wolves ...

... formerly the Troy Sting ...

... have been together for years, now ...

... and have been Relatively Successful ...

... as a Franchise over that time ...

... but, never a Chance for the National Title ... before now.

The Wildcats Turn-Up-the-Temp as #68 Zack Goodman ...

... and #23 Scott Titus take It To-the-House ...

Even-Steven ...

... once again.

P2 ends, and an Intermission for Resurfacing ...

... allows some time for Buying Photos out in the Lobby.

So, just Seventeen Minutes to go in this one ...

... a Game in a Place the Wolves ...

... hadn't figured to be In at this time Last Season.

"We were hanging it up," said Coach Leger, who folded '92 Sting at the end of '09.

That didn't last for long, though ...

... as the Boyz Came Together ...

... persuading the Coaches ...

... to make One Last Run.

Chances ... waiting to be taken ... Possibilities ...

At the moment, Warwick was doing Their Best to Ruin Those Chances ...

... as They Regained the Lead ...

... thanks to #11 Cameron Goodell and #37 Chris Scannella.

The Capt'n and the Ref share some thoughts about This 'n' That ...

... and the Wolves were not about to let This Chance ...

... Slip Away ...

Goal to #16 Troyer by Hizself ... Short-Handed.

Pennsylvania would Not Score again ...

Two Minutes Later ...

... #15 Jesse Peterson ...

... and #89 Kyle Novack ...

... put Michigan On-Top for good.

Sensing Victory within reach ...

... the Home Boyz ...

... Increased Pressure ...

... but, the Visitors ...

... Hold On ...

... with some Tough Work in the Trenches!

Still, Chances are more than Expectations ...

... Chances are only what we make them ...

With the Clock Now A Major Factor ...

... Mt. Clemens goes to the Box at 2:29 ...

... so, Time-Out is Called ...

... to Set the Final Game-Plan ...

Warwick gains the O-Zone and Pulls Their Goalie for Extra Offense ...

... but, That Back-Fires ...

... Empty-Netter to #96 Ryan Kish.

Chances are when said and done ...

... Who'll be the lucky ones ...

... Who make it all the way?

Nothing ... lasts ... forever...
No matter how it feels today...
Chances ... chances...

Thanks, Guyz,
for the Memories!

This Page and All Photos by Bob Beguelin

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and USA Hockey National Championships.
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