No. 1 Novi CC wins tight games against two top teams

A Trenton player is bracked by two Catholic Central Shamrocks in a game won 1-0 by CC.

Novi Catholic Central is the No. 1 team in the state, according to the Michigan High School Hockey Coaches Association’s Super 10 ranking, which pulls from all divisions. Just in case that’s not enough, CC also sits atop Division 1.

The Shamrocks showed why they’re on top by winning a pair of 1-0 games in three days recently against stiff Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League competition.

CC defeated Trenton (No. 5 in the Super 10, No. 2 in Division 2) on Jan. 23 and UD Jesuit (No. 4 in the Super 10, No. 1 in Division 3) on Jan. 26. Both were home games for Catholic Central at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth.

The Shamrocks are 17-1-1-0 overall and 10-0-0-0 in the MIHL North Division.

"There is a reason that they are the No. 1 team in the state. They play unbelievable team hockey,” Trenton coach Chad Clements said. “Novi CC coach Brandon (Kaleniecki) does a real nice job for them, getting the most out of his players.”

Zach Allen had to make only 15 saves in CC’s win over Trenton while Stephen Sleva earned the shutout against UD Jesuit with 19 saves.

Gordon Husted’s power-play goal late in the second period was the game winner against Trenton while Rylan Clemons scored the only goal against UD with only 2:20 left in the game. 

Owen Pryzbylo made 31 saves for UD Jesuit (13-5-0-0 overall, 6-2-0-0 in the MIHL South), and Joey Cormier stopped 27 shots for Trenton (15-2-1-1, 7-2-1-1 in the MIHL South).

Trenton won a 1-0 game of its own on Jan. 26, topping Allen Park. Cormier made 28 saves and Nolan Szczepaniak scored the goal, 5:08 into the third period.

All three teams now head into the MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase Jan. 31-Feb. 2.