Gremlins, Spartans skate to 3-3 tie
HOUGHTON — The Houghton Gremlins hockey team jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first period, but themselves having to fight for their life in the third period in a 3-3 tie against the Livonia Stevenson Spartans Friday at the Dee Stadium.
The Gremlins struck first 8:03 into the contest when Jiseung Choi scored. Nathan Erva picked up the lone assist on the tally.
Brad Gauthier extended the hosts’ lead at the 13:20 with an unassisted, shorthanded marker.
The lead held up until the 9-minute mark of the middle frame when Jaydon Spears found the net. Stephen McDonald then evened things with a power play goal at 12:53.
Patrick McGowan was credited with the primary assist on both tallies.
In the third, the Gremlins took advantage of a power play of their own as Niko Rajala stuffed one home at 7:03. Kevin Bostwick assisted on the goal.
The lead only held for 1:23, however, as Mark Stefanick buried an unassisted goal to even things again.
Jimmy Pietila made 16 saves in the game.
The Gremlins return to action Saturday at 1 p.m. when they face Rochester United at the Dee Stadium.
Scoring
Livonia 0 2 1 0 – 3
Houghton 2 0 1 0 – 3
First period
1, HHS, Jiseung Choi (Nathan Erva), 8:03
2, HHS, Brad Gauthier, SH, 13:20
Second period
3, LS, Jaydon Spears (Patrick McGowan, Ethan Waldo), 9:00
4, LS, Stephen McDonald (McGowan, Ian Kimble), PP, 12:53
Third period
5, HHS, Niko Rajala (Kevin Bostwick), PP, 7:04
6, LS, Mark Stefanick, 8:27
Saves
LS 4 12 11 6 – 33
HHS, Pietila 3 3 5 4 – 16
Power plays
LS: 1/3; HHS: 1/5
Penalties
LS: 5/10; HHS: 3/6