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WYANDOTTE – After a lopsided start to the season, the Riverview Gabriel Richard hockey team came into Thursday’s affair on a three-game win streak.
Thursday’s home tilt at Yack Arena for the Pioneers was a bit of a flip-flop match that included a late upset attempt by the visitors from Salem. But with the help of an empty-net goal, the locals were able to down the visiting Rocks by a final score of 4-3.
The first period was carried by Salem, but it was Richard who escaped with the early 1-0 lead after capitalizing on the power play.
Despite the attempts from the opposition, the Pioneers were able to score on the man-advantage, three minutes after killing off their own penalty.
“We were very fortunate in the first period to not come out down a couple of goals,” Richard coach Rick DeSana said. “We lacked details in our practices this week and we always have to have details in our practice prior to the game.”
Santino Venturini fired the shot in during one of the only moments his team was in front of the Salem night during the first 17 minutes. Michael Taucher and Anthony Venturini assisted.
Richard made it a 2-0 seven minutes into the middle period when they took it right from Salem at the blue line. With an assist from Anthony Venturini, Conor Forester carried it right to the net and promptly deposited it.
The hosts further extended their lead some seven and a half minutes into the final period when Anthony Venturini and Forester switched roles. The latter sent a quick pass in front of the net to Venturini, who flipped it up and over the Salem goalie’s pad for a 3-0 advantage.
Salem finally got on the board about five minutes later while on the power play, firing a shot off the post and into the net.
But with 2:28 to go, Jake Csekei scored the de facto game-winner on an empty-net goal to extend the Richard lead once more.
Salem made things interesting late, scoring twice in the final 30 seconds in a frantic attempt to try and force overtime, but Richard was able to hang on for the win.
The victory for the Pioneers continues their active win streak to a season-high four games. Thursday was their first game since taking two up north vs Houghton and Calumet last weekend, and their first home game since the day before Thanksgiving.
“We had a good trip up north,” DeSana said. “I think we kind of all of the sudden thought we were better than we were and we’re only good if we play.”
The Pioneers faced 21 shots in the final 17 minutes after Salem had only 14 through the first two periods combined.
The win came from having to focus on fixing small mistakes as they continued forward.
“Our forecheck was nonexistent the first period, which gives you gaps,” DeSana said. “They probably have one of the best hockey lines in the state and when you give those guys space to go, you’re in trouble.”
DeSana also credited special teams work.
“A lot of it comes down to special teams and we capitalized on that power play in the first period,” he said. “We always try to win the special teams battle in every game.
“If you win the special teams battle, you should have an opportunity to win.”
With the win, Richard moves to 5-4 on the young season, but DeSana said they have two big things to focus on moving forward; maturity and consistency.
“Everything (Salem) got in the third period was because we put their top team against us on the PK,” he said. “And that’s just a recipe for disaster. If they’re tough to play against five-on-five, it’s going to be a little tougher if you take a guy off the ice.”
The Pioneers now head into the holiday break and will be back in action Jan 3 when they take on local rival Trenton at Kennedy Ice Arena.
After hitting the road on Jan 8 against Warren De La Salle, DeSana’s crew will return home to Yack Arena and welcome in their longtime now-former Metro League rivals from Detroit Country Day.
PHOTOS: Ice Hockey – Salem vs Riverview Gabriel Richard
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