Dreadnaughts Net 6-1 Victory Over Ann Arbor

The Dexter High School boys varsity hockey team started its quest for a Division 3 state championship on a high note Tuesday, defeating Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard 6-1 in a pre-regional game at the Arctic Coliseum in Chelsea.

The Dreadnaughts started strong and never let up against the Fighting Irish. Behind goals from Capt. Andrew Erber and Blake Miller, Dexter took an early 2-1 lead at the end of the first period.

In the second period, both clubs tightened up defensively. The Dreadnaughts opened the second frame on a power play. The Irish clamped down in their own zone and foiled Dexter’s man advantage. Shortly after their power play ended, however, Joey Barlett turned the light on for the Dreadnaughts, upping their lead to 3-1 with 10:26 remaining in the second period. Picking up an assist on the goal for Dexter were Ian Wiesenberg and Max Waldrup.

Despite a 5-on-3 power play late in the second period, the Dreadnaughts were unable to increase their advantage and entered the third period continuing to lead 3-1.

In the third period, Dexter came alive offensively. At 12:20 of the third period, Patrick Gronvall scored off a rebound giving the Dreads a 4-1 advantage. Jake Waldrup and Barlett recorded assists on the play for Dexter.

Three minutes later, John Grover blasted a shot past the Gabriel Richard goalie for a 5-1 Dreadnaught lead. Evan Sanford and Miller each picked up an assist for Dexter.

Gronvall scored his second goal of the night with 3:26 left on the clock for the game’s final margin. Tristin Rojeck and Blake Glapa recorded assists on the play for the Dreadnaughts.

Earning the win between the pipes for Dexter was goaltender Cameron Rooks.

Dreadnaught coach Gary Howell was pleased with his squad’s opening performance of the state playoffs.

“We started off well in the first period,” he said. “I think we stopped skating a bit in the second. But in the third period we were able to get back to our speed game.”

Howell said he was somewhat surprised at the final score since Gabriel Richard is one of the better teams in the venerable Detroit Catholic League.

“I thought it would be a little tighter,” he said. “I expected a one- or two-goal game. But the past four or five games we’ve been playing well.”

Howell said offensively his club is starting to click.

“We went through a lull earlier this season where it seemed we couldn’t score any goals,” he said. “But now the pucks just seem to be finding the net.”

With its victory, Dexter next takes on the winner of the Chelsea-Jackson Lumen Christi in the pre-regional final at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Arctic Coliseum.

“Both Chelsea and Lumen Christi are good teams,” Howell said. “We’re going to have to be ready to play no matter who we face.”