LANSING — Despite outshooting the Warwick Wildcats 30-9 through two periods of play, Team Copper Country 18U Tier 2 hockey team led just 1-0 heading into the final period of play. With three goals in a span of just over three minutes, Team CC earned its second 4-0 victory of the national tournament Friday at the Summit Sports and Ice Complex in Lansing.

Coach Micah Stipech was proud of his team’s performance, given the fact that they earned a spot in the quarterfinals on Sunday with the victory.

“[This was] great for team confidence,” said Stipech. “We know we’ll play Sunday now. We survived some adversity [Friday] and made it through.”

Hancock’s Teddy Randell was a difference maker throughout the contest for Team CC, scoring three goals, including two on the power play to drive the offense.

With a 15-2 shot advantage through first 17 minutes of play, Team CC started the second period on 1 minute, 33 seconds of power play to start the middle frame. On that advantage, Hartland’s Jed Pietila got the puck to Randell, who buried his second goal of the tournament.

“Ted’s effort has been tremendous the whole tournament,” said Stipech. “Getting pucks to the net has been a big stress for us. Ted got pucks to the net [Friday]. He’s a junkyard dog. He scraps and battles for his chances.”

The game remained 1-0 until the third, when Randell struck a second time, this time off a feed from Hancock’s Alex Nordstrom at 8:42.

“What they did [Friday] that was really effective was the first guy on the puck was hard like we want and they also drove the net well,” said Stipech of Hancock’s duo. “Both are things we didn’t do well in the state tournament and they did a great job of that [Friday]..”

Randell’s third of night, for the natural hat trick, came at 10:20 and with Team CC on another power play. Pietila netted his second assist of the night.

The power play continued to be a key component of what Team CC was doing well throughout the night when the other unit found the back of the net when Calumet’s Brent Loukus beat Wildcats goaltender Jack Breen at 11:57, sealing the game for the locals.

Team CC’s power play was driven through the contest by the play of Pietila. Pietila, who spent the summer working out with his teammates but plays hockey in the winter in the Lower Peninsula for the Hartland Eagles, fits like a glove with his teammates, a feat that is not easy considering the distance.

“He’s our quarterback,” said Stipech. “The puck is on his stick the whole game. He has a high hockey IQ, and makes great decisions. He understands the game.

“[Friday] he created many of our opportunities with his passing and shot, which is a missile. When he started shooting, it opened up our power play.”

Having a player like Pietila who can play forward or defense gives Stipech and his staff options, and he fits well with his teammates.

“Everyone is more confident when Jed is in our lineup,” said Stipech. “It’s like having Aaron Rodgers.”

With 14 saves and long stretches of inaction, Hancock’s Dawson Kero came up with his second shutout of the tournament. Stipech was impressed with his effort level despite the distinct lack of shots against.

“Dawson has been sharp,” said Stipech. “It’s harder to play in games where you are not getting a lot of pressure. Dawson is a quick and really athletic goaltender. He’s also made some saves in the areas where he has struggled in the past.”

Team CC will wrap up pool play today with their game against the Foothills Flyers. The Flyers have struggled thus far in the tournament, losing their opener to the Wildcats, 4-2, and Friday’s contest against the Hamden Dragons, 8-5, in a wild affair that saw the Flyers score all five of their goals in the final frame.

Game time will be 1 p.m. this afternoon.