Hockey: Chargers trample Lumberjacks

by Cory Butzin

Midland Dow’s varsity hockey team only needed one goal to come out of Wednesday’s game against Arthur Hill with a win.

But they added 14 more just to be sure.

The Chargers scored nine first period goals and had a running clock for the duration of the second period before the game was called with Dow prevailing 15-0 over the Lumberjacks at Midland Civic Arena.

“We tried to get everybody a lot of playing time,” said Dow coach Dick Blasy. “We tried to get some guys points that don’t usually have many scoring opportunities.”

The scoring barrage started early as Michael Oakley was able to punch one in on the power play at 2:02 of the first period. Eli Rytlewski assisted.

Oakley returned the favor thirteen seconds later when he assisted on a Rytlewski goal to give Dow a 2-0 lead.

From there, the scoring kept coming as thirteen different Chargers were able to tally a point for Dow.

Dow was led by Oakley, who finished with a hat trick and an assist. Rytlewski and Michael Harris added two goals and an assist apiece, while Daniel Livernois tallied two goals.

“It helped us prepare for our next game against Hudsonville,” Blasy said.

The win improved the Chargers record to 7-4-1 on the season. They return to action Friday when they host the Eagles at Midland Civic Arena. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.