Birmingham Unified shuts out Clarkston, 8-0, to claim share of first-ever OAA Red hockey title – The Oakland Press
BIRMINGHAM — Host Birmingham Unified Kings scored eight goals from eight different players and clinched a share of their first-ever Oakland Activities Association red title with an 8-0 win over Clarkston Wolves.
“It was a goal we talked about in the offseason, and it’s just great that we were able to achieve it,” Kings head coach Zack Warson said. “With eight goals in a good Clarkston team, it was a good game for us. I’m really, really proud of the guys for closing it.
“It means a lot. I’ve been here since my freshman year, and we haven’t won anything other than the JV league. So it really means a lot for the future of the program,” Kings senior captain Kelton Carr said. .
The Kings opened the scoring midway through the first period when Carson Wood’s wrist from the right point deflected and went short side for a 1-0 Birmingham Unified lead.
The Kings doubled their lead to 2-0 with 2:26 left in the period when Jonathan Cloutier hit Ben Catlin with a long pass and Catlin skated to a clean break, deked the goalie and slipped a shot backhand into the net.
Ethan Marcus added his first goal of the year just over a minute later to give Birmingham Unified a 3-0 lead before intermission.
Needing goals, Wolves outscored the Kings 13-3 in the second half – but fell behind by two more goals. Clarkston’s shots were constantly coming from the perimeter. Wolves got very few close shots, and Kings keeper Henry Ellenbogen gobbled up everything he could see – which was pretty much it all night. Ellenbogen recorded 24 saves to score the shutout.
At the other end, Birmingham Unified managed just 17 shots. But what the Kings lacked in quantity they made up for in great quality. The Kings got a large percentage of their shots from the best scoring areas or on odd rushes – or both. Five of Birmingham Unified’s goals came in transition.
“We were really good at the start of the zone. We didn’t have a lot of attacking time tonight, but we made the most of it when we did,” Warson said. “Our scoring depth showed tonight. We had a lot of different guys on the roster, and we need them to be successful.
It was typical all night as Clarkston had more attacking zone time each period and fired on Birmingham Unified for the game, but Wolves couldn’t convert those advantages into quality scoring chances or, more importantly, in goals.
The other key was balance as the Kings got goals from eight different players and points from 13 different players. Catlin, Cloutier, Lukas Nies and Kaz Villaire all had a goal and an assist. No king had more than two points.
“We have some great guys this year. It’s primarily a senior team, and a lot of chemistry has been built throughout the season. Each line plays. Most teams rely on two lines. We rely on all four,” Carr said.
With the win, the Kings improve to 14-4-1 overall and 8-1 in OAA Red. Birmingham Unified can’t finish worse than tied for first and hold the tiebreaker on Lake Orion, which is the only team to tie them in the standings. The Kings will attempt to claim the absolute title on Saturday night against Rochester United.
“Rochester is a good team. They will come to play. Every OAA game is a tough game. We know that, so we’ll bring our best game tomorrow,” Carr said.
Clarkston drops to 7-13 overall and 3-5 in OAA Red. Wolves also have a quick turnaround against rivals Lake Orion on Saturday night.
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