The KLAA hockey season preview focused on how the league — while boasting impressive depth — has essentially been a three-team show over the first 16 years of the league’s history. That continued during the regular season, with Hartland beating Livonia Stevenson in the championship game.
But we now have some fresh KLAA blood in the Division 1 semifinals with Howell taking on Salem at 7:30 p.m. Friday at USA Hockey Arena. This is only the second time in 15 seasons Howell has gotten this far, while Salem is the first of the three Plymouth-Canton schools to reach the final four.
Salem is the only team to beat Howell in regulation time this season, way back before Thanksgiving. The Rocks came back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to win 4-2 on their home ice. The Highlanders’ only other two losses were in shootouts during showcases that didn’t use the customary eight-minute overtimes.
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Can Howell get revenge and return to the state championship game for the first time since back-to-back appearances in 2009 and 2010? Or can Salem make history with its first trip to the final?
Sports reporter Bill Khan of the Livingston Daily Press & Argus breaks down the Howell-Salem matchup:
► Rankings: Howell No. 3, Salem No. 6
► Records: Howell 23-3-2, Salem 16-12
► Playoff histories: Howell: Seven regional championships; state runner-up in 2009, 2010; fourth trip to state semifinals. Salem: Six regional championships; first trip to state semifinals
► Leading scorers: Howell: Rory Sturos 15 goals, 27 assists; Chad Pietila 16 goals, 19 assists; Marco Wolf 10 goals, 20 assists; Luke Storm 8 goals, 19 assists; Ben Huotari 15 goals, 10 assists; Bryce Eskola 10 goals, 13 assists; Bryce Pietila 9 goals, 14 assists. Salem: Dominic Chaput 34 goals, 35 assists; Nolan Kaminski 35 goals, 32 assists; Karsen Patel 19 goals, 43 assists; Cameron Eichner 6 goals, 30 assists; Andrew Weidenbach 8 goals, 14 assists.
► Goaltenders: Howell: Henry Lansky 22-3-2, 1.38 GAA, .946 save pct., 4 shutouts. Salem: Mason Wines 13-11, 3.12 GAA, .871 save pct., 2 shutouts
► Biggest wins: Howell: 2-1 over Brighton, 4-2 over Flint Powers Catholic, 2-1 over Cranbrook-Kingswood, 3-2 over Livonia Stevenson, 5-3 over Toledo St. Francis, 4-2 over Clarkston, 2-1 over Clarkston (quarterfinals). Salem: 4-2 over Howell, 4-3 over Cranbrook-Kingswood, 4-1 over Brighton, 2-1 over Trenton, 7-4 over Brighton (quarterfinals)
► What’s next: Winner plays for state championship at 7 p.m. Saturday against Detroit Catholic Central (26-2) or Sparta (17-11) at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth.
► Analysis: Both teams have broken through this season largely due to having a senior star who chose to play high school hockey for the first time, Lansky in net for Howell and Kaminski up front for Salem. The Rocks may have the top line in the state in Kaminski, Chaput and Patel. The production drops off considerably after that, but if that trio can produce three goals (hardly a reach), it might be enough to reach the final. Howell doesn’t have a single line with that much firepower, but has three lines capable of producing a big goal. It seems like a different hero every game. That makes it difficult for opponents to focus on containing one line. Eventually, the Highlanders will enjoy a mismatch on the ice. Howell specializes in winning low-scoring games, allowing more than two goals only four times. That’s a dangerous way to live in the state playoffs, because the bounces won’t always go your way, but being comfortable in uncomfortable situations and the goaltending of Lansky should give Howell the edge in another tight battle. Salem doesn’t have the most impressive record for a team this far into the tournament, but a 7-4 victory over Brighton in the quarterfinals was a huge statement.
► Prediction: Howell 3-2
► NFHS live stream
Contact Bill Khan at wkhan@gannett.com. Follow him on X @BillKhan
