The Mav's season came to an abrupt end in the first round of the Playoffs at the hands of highly ranked Cranbrook-Kingswood Monday night at Wallace Ice Arena in Bloomfield Hills, on the campus of the Cranbrook Preparatory Academy. Milford Junior goalie Tyler Kerr was outstanding in a losing effort, making 34 saves on 43 Crane shots, including several spectacular stops, the result of his composure, net presence, controlled aggression and compete level. The Mavs were down a manageable 3-0 deficit after one period to the private school powerhouse, before Chicago native Connor McGrath and Massachusetts recruit Kam Hellman combined for two goals in the first minute of the second period to stake the Cranes to a deflating 5-0 lead. Milford continued their disciplined and gritty play throughout the second, but were unable to sustain pressure and generate quality scoring opportunities before succumbing to the highly ranked Cranes, (8 out of 140 high school teams) 9-0. Mav supporters outnumbered Cranbrook fans, despite the game being a home game for the Cranes, which was much appreciated by the Milford Hockey Team!  The Milford Fabulous Five (you know who you are) brought homemade chocolate chip cookies and Gatorade for the young Mavericks to enjoy on the bus ride home to help ease the pain of the season ending loss, a testament to our Community support and the awesomeness of high school hockey. "Now our boys know where they need to be as far as strength on their sticks, quickness on their blades and hunger in their hearts to compete with the best Programs in the State.  Off season starts tomorrow," said a dejected, yet surprisingly satisfied Head Coach Dennis Gagnon on the bus ride home. "Hopefully the travel and aaa players at Milford realize the fun they'll have representing their school and Community and that high school hockey is as good a vehicle as any to reach your long term hockey goals," said Assistant Coach Ian Wiljanen, already looking ahead to next season, who missed out on playing at his high school and knows firsthand of the lost opportunity. The coaching staff and Administration would like to thank our five Seniors for their contribution to the foundation of Milford Hockey, Sam Hewitt, Austin Day, Connor Meadows, Kevin Mozel and Keir Gillis, and look forward to following their successes in the next phase of their lives. "Our Seniors are great kids and solid role models for our younger players," said Coach Bob Nolan on the coaches post game ride to Waterford. "Connor Meadows really did a great job as Team Captain." Other team members include Freshmen goalies Tyler Whitney and Harris Partyka, fellow Freshmen Tucker Combs, Matt Rowe and Luke McIntyre, Sophomores Josh Raya, Austin Combs, Kaz Bowring, Liam Markell and Nick Bow, Juniors Kerr, Tristan Ingram-Reeve, Brendan Engel, Tyler Tori and Ben Kozar. Milford Hockey plans on participating in two Tourneys in the Spring, skating twice a week during June/July's Summer Camp, playing 8-12 games in the Fall preseason along with on ice skill sessions, and starting a five month stretch of off ice workouts in June, all in preparation of next season, a season that the Mavs will look to continue to lay the foundation of a successful and desirable destination Hockey Program. Thank you all for your support and Go Mavs!

The Mavs fought back from a 7-2 deficit going into the third before finally falling to Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard/Greenhills Unified Friday night at the Cube in Ann Arbor. The Mavericks flew out of the gate in the third period with two quick goals in the first minute and a half with Freshmen Matt Rowe and Junior Tyler Tori lighting the lamp to bring the Mavs within three, 7-4 with plenty of game left. Freshmen Luke McIntyre banged in a rebound goal after Freshmen Tucker Combs was robbed on his attempt to make it 7-5 with eleven minutes to go. The Mavs continued to take the play to the highly ranked Irish, but couldn't slip the disk past Irish goalie Jake Janowski.  Gabriel Richard scored two late goals, one with five seconds to go in the game, for the 9-5 win. Austin Combs led the Mavs with one goal and two assists, giving him fifty points for the regular season, while his halfback partner, fellow Sophomore Kazuma Bowring, picked up three assists, giving him 41 points for the year, which should give both student/athletes strong consideration for All-State recognition, as voted on by head coaches throughout the State. Senior Captain Connor Meadows continued his strong play with an assist and a +2, Junior Tori ended up with 2 goals, while McIntyre picked up an assist to go with his goal, and Tucker Combs had an assist and finished +2 on the night. Milford Freshmen Tyler Whitney played well in his first start as a Mav with 18 saves on 24 shots before splitting time with fellow Frosh Harris Partyka who made 8 saves on 11 shots.  The two Irish goalies made 24 saves on the 29 shots they faced. "It was a great comeback effort against a quality team, despite missing two key torpedos and our starting goalie," said Coach Dennis Gagnon.  "This should give our guys the confidence they need to compete with and hopefully upset Cranbrook." Milford travels to Wallace Ice Arena Monday to face perennial state powerhouse Cranbrook/Kingswood in a 7:15 start Regional game.

The Mavs fired nearly 40 shots on Livonia Franklin goalie Brenden Pedersen, most in the high quality area known as the Dog House, but could only muster six goals and settled for a tie Wednesday night at Hartland. Milford was led by Sophomore Austin Combs who scored one goal along with four assists, Junior Tristan Ingram-Reeve with two goals, Kaz Bowring with one goal and two assists, Juniors Tyler Tori and Ben Kozar with a goal each, Freshmen Luke McIntyre with two assists and Senior Kevin Mozel with one helper. Milford had several quality chances in the OT session, including a breakaway, but Pedersen stood tall to secure the tie for the Patriots. Freshmen tendy Harris Partyka made 15 saves in his fourth start for the Mavs, including a couple of beauties late in the game.  

The Mavs lost to SEC League Champ Ann Arbor Skyline Monday night at Hartland. Junior Tristan Ingram-Reeve scored his seventh goal of the season for Milford, while Sophomores Kaz Bowring had a goal and an assist and Austin Combs had two assists. Junior Tyler Kerr made 23 saves on 30 shots in net for Milford while splitting time with Freshmen Harris Partyka who made 13 saves on 16 shots. Skyline goalies Brenden Cobb and Tommy Letke combined for 18 saves for the win.

South Lyon Unified beat the Mavs February 16 to claim their second LVC Championship in as many years. Milford goalie Tyler Kerr made 28 saves on 36 shots while SLU goalie Andrew Lohen turned back all 20 of the shots he faced for the shutout. Congratulations South Lyon Unified on your back-to-back League titles.

The Mavs lost 5-3 to the Walled Lake Northern Knights Friday night at Hartland. Milford goal scorers were Kaz Bowring, Tyler Tori and Austin Combs while Tucker Combs, Luke McIntyre, Ben Kozar, Connor Meadows, Bowring and Milford goalie Tyler Kerr each picked up an assist. Kerr finished the night with 26 saves for Milford and Knight goalie Brady Arens made 18 for the win. The Mavs host LVC league leader South Lyon Unified Tuesday night 7PM at Hartland.

The Mavs lost 7-2 to WLCWU Wednesday night at Lakeland. Milford's leading scorer, Austin Combs, kept up his goal a game pace with two goals, one unassisted and one on the power play with an assist from Connor Meadows. WLCWU's goalie Tyler Krasofsky made 42 saves on the night while the Mavs' Tyler Kerr had 25. The Mavs host the Walled Lake Northern Knights Friday night, 7:45 at Hartland.  

The Mavs picked up their fourth win of the season, a big comeback victory over league foe Walled Lake Central/Waterford United, a unified team consisting of three LVC high schools, 7-6, Monday night at Hartland. Sophomore Austin Combs led Milford with 3 goals and 2 assists, while the Mavs outshot WLCWU 48-29 in an exciting, come from behind victory for the Mavs. Elite Brigade veteran Eric Gal scored two goals in the first for WLCWU, before Combs notched his first from Junior Tristan Ingram-Reeve and Senior Austin Day, but Steven LaCrosse scored less than a minute later to put WLCWU up 3-1 after one. WLCWU defensemen Liam Dunn netted his first of his two goals on the night one minute into the second to give the Unified a comfortable 4-1 lead early in the second period.   The Mavs responded with the next five goals for a 6-5 lead after two back and forth, mainly forth, periods.  Combs sniped his second with assists from Sophomore Kaz Bowring and Freshmen Matt Rowe, before Freshmen Luke McIntyre banged in his second goal of the year, a rebound put back after Combs and Bowring were denied on their shot attempts to make it 4-3 and give Milford some momentum after a rough first period.  Sophomore Josh Raya wouldn't be denied on his third bang attempt on a power play rebound goal to even it at four, with assists from Senior Kevin Mozel and Junior Ben Kozar Junior Tristan Ingram-Reeve clapped in a rebound power play goal from between the dots off of a Combs shot, to give the Mavs the lead 5-4 with 2 minutes to go in the second. Sophomore Mav leading scorer Combs sniped his third, his second hatty of the season, the third Mav PP goal of the night, with assists from Bowring and Day with ten seconds to go in the second, to stake Milford to a two goal advantage after two. WLCWU wasn't ready to head back East quite yet, despite being down by two and outshot 38-19 after two periods.  Senior Andy Stocke scored on a power play at the 13:51 mark of the third to bring WLCWU back to within one with plenty of game remaining. But Milford's Junior tendy Tyler Kerr was not going to be denied tonight, and made several big saves to keep the Mavs on the right side of the score board until Milford Junior Kozar sped around the net behind WLCWU goalie Tyler Krasofsky and tucked in a wrapper to give the Mavs a 7-5 lead with 2:48 to go. The United squad wasn't ready to throw in the towel, despite the Mavs big comeback, and scored a short handed goal, Dunn with his second, to make it 7-6 with 1:36 remaining. After a harrowing last minute that saw the Mavs ice the puck twice giving WLCWU a bit of hope with face        offs in the Mavs end, Milford was able to ice the clock for the win. "Sure was nice to win.  Not sure our guys know how good we can be and how competitive we need to be come playoffs, but we're startin' to get it figured.  Great comeback win tonight,  Big W!" exclaimed third year Mav Assistant Coach Bob Nolan. Milford travels to Lakeland Arena Wednesday for a rematch against WLCWU, 7:20PM, before hosting WL Northern Friday night, 7:45 at Hartland, "Sure is sweet seeing our Student Body coming out and cheering our boys on, helping represent our Community, and giving our Hometown Hockey Team the support we need," said first year Coach Troy Hewitt in a surprisingly subdued, yet victorious, Mav locker room.    

The Mavs stormed out of the gate looking for redemption against crosstown rival the Lakeland Eagles Saturday night at Hartland, before succumbing to Lakeland on the back end of a home and home series, 6-1. Eagle goaltender Bryce Samoylov made four big saves less than three minutes into the game to keep the Mavs at bay before Lakeland's Tyler Martin scored at 13:11, firing a far side wrist shot that beat screened Milford tendy Tyler Kerr to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. Matt Zaremba scored a power play goal for Lakeland with 1:47 to go in the first, a point shot that eluded Kerr, who appeared to be screened, to put Lakeland ahead by 2 after one evenly player period. Ben Getzen scored twice in the second for Lakeland, who clearly outplayed the Mavs in the period, for a 4-0 lead after two. Milford played a much harder, more competitive third period and scored an early power play goal, Senior Austin Day with his first of the year from fellow Senior Kevin Mozel, to give the Mavs hope with 13:36 left. Milford continued to pepper Samoylov, who robbed Mav Sophomore Kaz Bowring on a breakaway attempt halfway through the third period, but were unable to light the lamp the rest of the way.  Lakeland scored two late goals, the last with 21 seconds to play, for the 6-1 victory. Milford's Kerr was busy with 39 saves, while Lakeland's Samoylov had 17 stops on the night. The Mavs host Walled Lake Central/Waterford United Monday at 4:45PM, travel to Lakeland Wednesday for a rematch with WLCWU at 7:20PM and host Walled Lake Northern Friday 7:45 at Hartland in a busy week of LVC hockey action. "We knew we could compete with those guys and played well for two of the three periods, but need to learn to bring it every period and every shift.  There's no room for letdowns against a team as talented as they are.  But despite the loss, we continue to prove to ourselves that we can hang with anybody," Coach Dennis Gagnon said in response to a question from a reporter during a late night post game press conference.    

The Mavs battled and battled, and batlted some more before succumbing to their neighboring nemesis, the Lakeland Eagles, before a packed crowd Saturday night, ultimately losing 6-4 in an exciting, hard hitting, crowd roaring, high school hockey LVC league showdown at Lakeland. Milford's Ben Kozar dangled Lakeland goalie Jason Loo on a breakaway goal after blocking an Eagle defensemen's shot less than a minute into the contest to give the Mavs a 1-0 lead against the much higher ranked Lakeland squad. Lakeland's Cameron Slicker blew a screen shot by Milford's ultra competetive netminder Tyler Kerr, to knot it 1-1 less than two minutes later, with assists from Nick Hrobsky and Captain Blake Jackson.  Lakeland scored again at the 9:22 mark of the first, Jake Lesnew from Hrobsky and Jackson to give the hometown team a 2-1 lead, which was how it ended after one big time exciting period of high school hockey. After a between period tongue lashing by veteran Eagle Head Coach Tim Ronayne, Max (the Magic Man) Cohen sniped his team leading 17th goal of the season less than 30 seconds into the 2nd period to stake Lakeland to a 3-1 led, with helpers from Elite Brigade veterans Tyler Martin and Ben Getzen.  Milford's leading scorer, Sophomore Austin Combs, bagged his team leading 16th goal, a power play beauty from his halfback partner Kaz Bowring to bring the Mavs within one with 12:34 to go in the second.  Bowring followed with his own power play goal at the 6:29 mark of the second on a touch touch, bang bang pass play from Junior Tristan Ingram-Reeve and Sophomore Combs to send the Milford faithful and their rowdy Student Section into a mid game frenzy as the Mavs knotted it against the favored Eagle squad. Lakeland's Tyler Martin picked up an unassisted, elusive, knucklepucking clapper goal to put the Eagles ahead 4-3 with 3:19 to go in the second, which was how the second ended. Lakeland scored the first two goals of the third period, by Getzen and Lesnew, to stake the Eagles to a commanding 6-3 lead with 8:57 to go.   The Mavs weren't done, as Bowring got his second, a power play goal while Mavs' keeper Kerr was pulled for an extra attacker with 3:02 left in the game to make it a two goal game, but that was as close as Milford would make it. Milford's Kerr finished with 32 saves, a few "how'd he do that?" while Lakeland's Loo made 23 saves for the win. "Our boys competed, cut down on the turnovers and sure have come a long way since the start of the season" said first year Assistant Coach Troy Hewitt. The Mavs host another highly ranked opponent, the Ann Arbor Skyline Eagles, Monday night, 7PM at Hartland. "Giant Thank You to our Mav faithful and our traveling Maverick Student Section for helping making tonight's game a great experience and giving our guys some added ooomph!"  

Ben Kozar netted a hat trick and Austin Combs had two goals and two assists to lead the Mavs to a 7-4 victory Saturday night, their second win in the past three games, over the Alliance Hockey Club (9-9), a unified team consisting of five high schools.  Alliance's CJ Harris got his first of two goals just two and a half minutes after the drop before Kozar stole the puck from an Alliance defender and scored a breakaway goal to tie it at 12:36 of the first.   Alliance took the lead on their next shift, with Elite Brigade veteran and Alliance leading goal scorer Jacob Young notching his 22nd of the year to make it 2-1 before the crowd had time to get warm in their seats.  Milford's Kozar responded with his second goal of the night with helpers from Austin Combs and Tristan Ingram-Reeve to tie it at 2 with eight minutes to go in the first. The Mavs' Kaz Bowring tickled the twine as he went in all alone on Alliance goalie Will Garbutt off of a perfect pass from Sophomore Liam Markell to give Milford a 3-2 lead after one. Freshmen Matt Rowe continued his strong play with his third goal in as many games with assists from Sophomores Combs and Bowring at the 8:38 mark of the second to put the Mavs up by two.  But Alliance scored again on their next shift of the game to bring them back within one 4-3. Combs picked up his team leading fourteenth goal after he back checked and caught an Alliance forward who was bearing down all alone on Milford's stellar goaltender Tyler Kerr, before turning the play up ice and converting a power play goal from Rowe and Bowring with 46 seconds to go in the second, giving the Mavs a 5-3 lead and momentum heading into the second intermission. Both Milford's Kerr and Alliance's Garbutt kept the biscuit out of the basket as both teams had quality chances in an exciting, back and forth first 13 minutes of the third period before Combs buried his second goal of the night from Ingram-Reeve and Rowe for a Milford 6-3 lead with 4 minutes remaining in the game. Kozar put the game out of reach on the next shift when he netted his third goal of the game and ninth of the season on a strong outside power drive move, with an assist from Freshmen Luke McIntyre for a 7-3 lead with 3:30 to go.  McIntyre's assist, his fourth point of the season, gave him his Family's lead in career point production as a Maverick over his Dad Steve who had three points as a Mav (Redskin) back in the day. "We talked about the importance of having a good shift after we score since Alliance scored two goals on shifts following our goals earlier in the game, so it was great to see Ben score on the shift after AC scored" said second year Assistant Coach Ian Wiljanen. Alliance scored with 50 seconds to go to make it 7-4. Milford's Kerr ended with 29 saves while the Alliance's Garbutt had 32. "It looks like our first year players are starting to get used to the speed and physicality of high school hockey and are realizing what it takes to compete at this level," said third year Assistant Bob Nolan in a raucous post game Mav locker room. The Mavs host the Knights of Walled Lake Northern Wednesday 7PM at Hartland.  Please come on out and support your local hometown hockey team as they continue to get better every day in preparation for Regionals at the end of February, where Milford is slated to face D3 top ranked Cranbrook Kingswood. "Thank you to our volunteers who help make the great game of hockey fun for the Team and a big Thank You to our student section, especially the Milford Glass Gang, for your enthusiastic support!"

The Cougars from Rochester Stoney Creek took advantage of three short handed goals and an empty netter for a 5-2 win over the Mavs Thursday night at Hartland. Milford was coming of of a big win over Jackson Lumen Christi and was determined to keep the streak going, but the young Mavs couldn't overcome the size and aggressive play of the Senior laden Cougars. Milford Junior goaltender Tyler Kerr had a phenomenal first period with 18 saves, while Cougar tendy Koty Beverly had 10 saves in an exciting back and forth scoreless stanza. Stoney Creek's Mason Burkhart got the skunk out of the box for the Cougars halfway through the second period with his first of three goals on the night, helping SC to a 2-0 lead after two periods. Burkhart struck again early in the third for a 3-0 SC lead before Mavs' Junior forward Tristan Ingram-Reeve breathed life into the Mavs with a power play goal from Sophomores Kaz Bowring and Austin Combs with four minutes to go to bring Milford within two. But SC scored an empty netter with 1:38 to go and another 30 seconds later with Kerr back in net for their fifth.  The never quit Mavs completed the scoring with one second to go, Sophomore Josh Raya from Freshmen Luke McIntyre to make it 5-2, a goal that was the direct result of a heavy forecheck from Freshmen Tucker Combs. The Mavs' Kerr finished with 31 saves, while his counterpart Beverly finished with 24 stops. Milford hosts Alliance Saturday (tonight) 6:30 at Hartland. Please come on out and cheer our hockey Mavericks on as they continue their mission of getting better every day in preparation for the end of the year State Tournament.        

Junior Mavericks' tendy Tyler Kerr returned from a month long absence to lead Milford to a 5-3 win Saturday night against the Jackson Lumen Christi Titans at the Jackson Optimist Arena. The cat like quick Kerr made 34 saves, while his Jackson counterpart Gavin Warner made 22. Freshmen Matt Rowe got the Mavs going just 21 seconds into the game with a sweet far side snipe, his second goal in as many games, with assists from Sophomores Austin Combs and Kaz Bowring, as Milford took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. Lumen Christi knotted the game halfway through the second before Freshmen Luke McIntyre banged home a rebound for his first goal as a Maverick to give Milford a 2-1 lead.  Sophomore Josh Raya followed McIntyre's goal with his second goal of the season while battling for a rebound with an assist from Bowring to put Milford ahead 3-1 after two periods. The Mavs came out for the third determined to finish off the Titans, with Junior Tyler Tori scoring an unassisted goal early.  Milford's Raya was instrumental in the goal while taking the puck wide and fighting off a hard check from a Titan defender to gain the zone and make the play happen, making it 4-1 Mavs with eleven minutes to play.   Milford scored again, Senior Captain Kevin Mozel notched his second of the season with assists to Tori and Sophomore Liam Markell, to give the Mavs a four goal lead with eight minutes remaining. Lumen Christi refused to fold, and after a penalty shot save by the Titans' Warner with 6:37 remaining, rolled that momentum into a strong finish by netting the next two goals at 6:20 and 3:59, putting the Titans within two with four minutes to go. But Milford's Kerr stood tall and his teammates were not going to be denied while escaping with a 5-3 win over a very good Jackson Lumen Christi team. The Mavs host Rochester Stoney Creek Thursday 7PM and Alliance Saturday 6:30PM at Hartland.  

The Mavs lost another heartbreaker to the Walled Lake Western Warriors 4-3 Thursday night at Hartland. Walled Lake took a 2-0 lead after one period before Milford Freshmen Matt Rowe scored his first goal as a Mav with an assist from Sophomore Austin Combs late in the second to reenergize the Mavs and bring them within one after two. Milford took a 3-2 lead on back to back unassisted goals from Sophomore Kaz Bowring and Junior Ben Kozar halfway through the third, only to give up a short handed equalizer credited to Western's Brady Hoffmeyer with three minutes remaining to tie it. After Western's goalie Trevor Evans thwarted a Milford 3 on 1 rush with 40 seconds to go, Walled Lake's Captain Brendan Estes took the puck the other way and ripped a shot that Mav Freshmen tendy Harris Partyka got a piece of, but trickled in giving Western their sixth win of the season. Milford's Partyka finished with 19 saves while Western's Evans made 30 saves. "We score on our own net on our power play to lose the lead, then get stopped on a 3 on 1 odd man rush only to have their guy go down 1 on our 2 defenders seconds later and score is kind've a microcosm of how our season's gone thus far.  We'll continue to get stronger and better and hopefully the Hockey Gods will shine upon us soon," said third year Head Coach Dennis Gagnon.     The Mavs played without Senior Captains Sam Hewitt and Connor Meadows, Junior goalie Tyler Kerr, Freshmen Luke McIntyre and lost Senior defensemen Keir Gillis to a foot injury early in the first period. Milford travels to Jackson Saturday night for an 8PM drop against Jackson Lumen Christi.  

The Mavs lost in OT 9-8 to the Walled Lake Western Warriors Tuesday night at Brighton. Milford was led by Austin Combs and Kaz Bowring who each had two goals and two assists, Tristan Ingram-Reeve with three assists, Tyler Tori and Nick Bow who each had their first goals of the season and an assist, Ben Kozar and Kevin Mozel each with a goal and Freshmen Luke McIntyre with an assist. Freshmen goalie Harris Partyka made 16 saves for the Mavs, while his Warrior counterpart Trevor Evans made 33 saves. The Mavs next game is a rematch with Western January 10, 7PM at Hartland.

The Mavs suffered their second defeat in as many nights losing 9-1 to the Clarkston Wolves Saturday night at the Detroit Skate Club. Freshmen Harris Partyka got his first start of the season in net for Milford, replacing injured starter Junior Tyler Kerr.  Partyka made 25 saves on 34 Wolves' shots including one spectacular Spin-o-rama save during a Clarkston flurry. The Silver Line of Sophomore Austin Combs, Junior Tristan Ingram-Reeve and Sophomore Kaz Bowring ruined the shutout for Clarkston with Combs scoring his team leading eleventh goal in eleven games with assists from both Bowring and Ingram-Reeves late in the first period.  The Silver Line has scored in each of the four games they've played as a unit. The Mavs travel to Brighton's KVIH Tuesday for a 5:30 tilt against League and Regional foe the Walled Lake Western Warriors in Milford's final game before a ten day Holiday break.

The Mavs lost 7-1 Friday night to the Berkley Bears at Oak Park. Milford's starting goaltender Junior Tyler Kerr suffered a possible concussion at the end of the second period after making 25 saves on 30 Bears' shots.  Freshmen Harris Partyka relieved Kerr for the third period and made ten saves on twelve shots. The Mavs lone goal was a power play goal by Tristan Ingram-Reeve with assists to line mates Austin Combs and Kaz Bowring. The Mavs travel to Bloomfield Hills' Detroit Skate Club for an 8PM drop Saturday night against the Clarkston Wolves.

Trevor LeBlanc scored what proved to be the game winner for the Knights of Walled Lake North on a power play goal early in the third period as the Knights ended up winning a tight battle with the Mavs 4-1 Saturday afternoon at Lakeland. Both goalies were busy as Milford's Tyler Kerr and Walled Lake's Brady Arens each made key breakaway saves, with the Mavs' Kerr ending up with 37 saves and Arens with 26 stops. Junior Tristan Ingram-Reeve scored a power play goal for the Mavs late in the second period to even the game at one going into the second intermission.  Sophomores Josh Raya and Kaz Bowring assisted on Ingram-Reeves' goal. The Mavs played without Junior Ben Kozar who is expected back in January, and Senior Captain Sam Hewitt who is doubtful to return this season because of a broken femur. "It looks like we're going to have to change up our attack and play a more traditional 3-2 system and trap more and pressure less, which, unfortunately, because of our dwindling roster, we really have no choice but to do," said third year Milford Coach Dennis Gagnon. The Mavs have four days of practice before going on the road Friday night at Berkley and Saturday night at Clarkston.  

The Mavs stormed out of the gate, with Sophomore Austin Combs scoring twice in the first five minutes, his team leading ninth and tenth goals, but eventually succumbed to the undefeated Temperance Bedford Kicking Mules 5-2 Tuesday night at Hartland. Seniors Keir Gillis and Connor Meadows and Junior Tristan Ingram-Reeve each had assists on Combs' goals, one of which was a power play. Junior Tyler Kerr made 28 saves in net for Milford. Milford was in control of the game in the first period before they lost offensive threat Junior Ben Kozar to a lower body injury that looks like will keep him out until mid-January.  The Mavs lost their momentum after watching Kozar being helped off of the ice but continued to battle to keep the game close. The Mavs had a 5 on 3 power play advantage late in the third with a 4-2 deficit, but failed to capitalize.  The Kicking Mules iced the game with a short handed goal with five minutes to go giving them a three goal lead which was how it ended. The Milford student section was crowded and boisterous, led by the mighty MavPack and fellow classmates, which helped the young Mavs battle through adversity. Milford travels to Lakeland Saturday for an afternoon tilt against league foe the Walled Lake Northern Knights.

The Mavs gave up five goals, including two empty netters, in the last six minutes of last night's tilt against defending LVC league champ South Lyon Unified, resulting in a 7-2 loss. SLU scored two goals in the second period after a scoreless first to take a 2-0 lead.  Milford responded with two power play goals of their own to tie it, Sophomore Josh Raya with his first as a Mav with assists to Sophomores Kaz Bowring and Austin Combs before Combs knotted it at two with assists to Junior Ben Kozar and Bowring. Junior Tyler Kerr finished the night with 30 saves while giving the Mavs a shot at the upset. Garrett Rutt led SLU with two goals and an assist. "I think we turned the corner tonight," said Assistant Coach Troy Hewitt.  "That was the best we've played all year." The Mavs host the Temperance-Bedford Mules Thursday night, 7PM, at Hartland. With no home basketball games on the docket, we'd love to see the MavPack come out in full force to support Milford Hockey in our last home game of 2018!    

The Mavs traveled to East Lansing Saturday afternoon for a run at the undefeated Okemos Chiefs, a team comprised of Okemos student/athletes and four Fowlerville High School hockey players. Milford fell behind 3-0 after one period, and 5-1 after two, before losing 6-1. Junior Tristan Ingram-Reeve, Milford's Student Manager two seasons ago, notched his second goal of the season in the second period to give the Mavs some hope, but Milford was unable to overcome the Chiefs and two questionable unsportsmanlike conduct calls that both resulted in power play goals for Okemville.  Senior Captain Kevin Mozel was credited with an assist on Ingram-Reeves' goal. Junior Tyler Kerr was busy in net again for the Mavs with 36 saves. "We're usually a pretty composed team, so those two after the whistle calls were definitely out of character." The Mavs host last year's inaugural Lakes Valley Conference League Champs, South Lyon Unified, Tuesday 5:30PM at Hartland.   Please c'mon out and support local, exciting High School Hockey!       

The Mavs lost an overtime thriller to the Ann Arbor Huron River Rats 7-6 Wednesday night at Hartland. Milford pummeled the Rats goalie with 58 shots, including an overtime shot by Senior Kevin Mozel that laid on the goal line before Huron's goalie was able to smother the puck to give his team life.   The Mavs were led by Junior Ben Kozar with 2 goals and 3 assists, while Sophomores Kaz Bowring and Austin Combs each had 2 goals and 2 assists, and Senior Captain Connor Meadows pitched in with an assist. Milford's starting goalie, Junior Tyler Kerr, played well as usual with 34 saves. The Mav's student section played an important role in the game, breathing life into their hockey playing classmates after Milford fell behind 2-0 early in the first period, resulting in the Mavs turning the table on the Rats and storming out to a 6-4 lead halfway through the third period. But it wasn't Milford's night, as the Rat's Will Downer scored on a rebound for the win after Kerr made a huge save on a breakaway halfway through the sudden death OT session. "Our guys battled, but came up a little short," said Milford's Coach Gagnon.  "This is something our young  team can learn from early in the season." The Mavs travel to Suburban East Lansing Saturday, 4:30, to take on Okemos/Fowlerville United. "A big thanks to our student section for their support!" Gagnon exclaimed after he was informed that this was the biggest home crowd in three seasons.  "Your support is what playing high school hockey and representing our great community, student body and school is all about."  

The Mavs overcame a two goal deficit in the second period, but came up short Nov 21 against Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard/Greenhills Unified, eventually losing 9-4. Milford took an early lead on a power play goal by Sophomore Kaz Bowring with an assist from Sophomore Austin Combs.  But things turned ugly quick when Senior Captain Sam Hewitt collided with an Irish player halfway through the first period, which ultimately resulted in a broken leg for Hewitt and a potential season ending injury to one of the Mav's top players. After a 35 minute delay, the game resumed with the ice sheet tilted in the Irish's favor, as they scored three goals in the last two minutes of the first period to take a 3-1 lead. But the resilient Mavs regrouped between periods and scored two goals of their own in the first two minutes of the second, Junior Tristan Ingram-Reeve with his first goal as a Maverick from Senior Captain Kevin Mozel followed by Bowring's second power play goal of the night with an assist from Ingram-Reeve to tie it at three. The Irish answered with three straight goals of their own before Junior Ben Kozar got Milford within striking distance early in the third with the assist going to Senior Captain Connor Meadows making it a 6-4 game with over 13 minutes remaining. The Irish, led by Senior Aidan Brewer, who was a top ten goal getter last year in the State, scored the next three to leave the Mavs in the dust.  Brewer finished with four goals and two assists. Junior Tyler Kerr went the distance in net for Milford, making 49 saves on 58 shots, continuing his exceptional play. "Losing Sam and seeing him laying on the ice in obvious pain really took the wind out of our sails," said a concerned Coach Gagnon.  "As tough as he is, I'm sure he'll be back to full strength in no time." Hewitt is expected to make a complete recovery after post game surgery. The Mavs take on the Ann Arbor Huron River Rats Wednesday, Nov 28, 7PM at Hartland.    

The Mavs were overpowered by the Big Rapids Cardinals in their second game of the Soo Blue Devils Showcase, 9-1 Nov 17, in a Saturday afternoon tilt. Despite the lobsided score, Milford starting goalie Tyler Kerr continued his stellar play, with 29 saves on 33 shots through the middle of the second.  Freshmen goalie Harris Partyka relieved Kerr midway through the second for his first game action and Milford's other Freshmen tendy, Tyler Whitney, started the third period for his first taste of regular season Varsity Hockey. Junior Ben Kozar scored the lone goal for the Mavs, with an assist from Senior Kevin Mozel. "You got to bring it every game, or, before you know it, game over," said third year Milford Coach Gagnon.  "This was a good lesson for us, shows us where we need to be." The Mavs finished their Saturday bowling with their crosstown rivals, the Lakeland Eagles, at the Dondee Lanes in Sault Ste. Marie, before leaving Sunday morning to return home. "It's always nice to show the guys what Junior hockey is all about, the bus ride, the tight quarters, the camaraderie, the discipline and compete level it takes to play on the road, and, more importantly, how much fun it is," said Milford Assistant Coach and Junior hockey veteran Ian Wiljanen after he rolled yet another strike at the Dondee.

The Mavs boarded a chartered bus Friday morning, destination Sault Ste. Marie for the second time in as many years to participate in the Soo Blue Devils Showcase featuring Milford, Lakeland, Big Rapids and The Soo. The Mavs played in the marquee game Friday night, Nov 16, against the host Blue Devils, and lost 2-1 in a disciplined, well played contest in which Milford played a penalty free game. Milford's Junior tendy, Tyler Kerr, was outstanding turning aside 36 of 38 Soo shots, giving his Team a chance to upend the formidable Blue Devils. After a scoreless first two periods, The Soo took the lead 1-0 in the middle of the third.  The Mavs finally got on the board, Austin Combs with his fifth of the year from Sam Hewitt, to knot the game at 1 with five minutes to go.  But the Soo scored with 22 seconds remaining in the game to take the lead. The Mavs pulled Kerr for the extra attacker resulting in a couple of good goal scoring chances, but were unable to capitalize. "We need to ratchet up the intensity and come out a lot stronger at the start of the game," said Milford Assistant Coach Ian Wiljanen.  "TK kept us in there, we just need to be stronger on our stick and win those battles." The Mavs play Big Rapids Saturday 1PM in a matinee matchup.

Austin Combs kicked off his high school hockey career in stellar fashion with a four goal, one assist night to help lead Milford to a 6-5 win over fellow Hartland rink mates, the Fenton/Linden Griffins, November 14. The Mavs took a 1-0 lead on a power play goal from Kaz Bowring with an assist from Mav Senior Captain Sam Hewitt, at 11:04 of the first.  Combs followed with an unassisted goal at 6:37 for a 2-0 Mav lead.  The Griffins drew within one with an unassisted goal by Jesse Bitner with 3 minutes remaining in the first, but Milford answered with just 30 seconds to go in the period, Combs from Senior Captain Kevin Mozel to give the Mavs a 3-1 lead after one. Milford pulled ahead by 3 with Combs netting his hat trick with assists to Junior Ben Kozar and Hewitt early in the second period.  The Griffins got to within two with 5:28 to go in the second, Brendan Miles from Kenneth Sorum, but the Mavs responded two minutes later, Combs with his fourth with helpers from Mozel and Hewitt to stake Milford to a seemingly comfortable 3 goal lead after two periods. The Griffins were not to be denied and scored two goals early in the third to make it 5-4, the first at 13:32, Dylan Conte from Adrien Ganslandt and Miles, the second 30 seconds later, Josh Appleberg unassisted. The Mavs kept the corral door closed over the next seven minutes, with Junior Goaltender Tyler Kerr making several key saves during the Griffin onslaught to preserve Milford's one goal lead.  The Mavs added to their lead on an outstanding all out effort goal by Hewitt, who ended up with one goal and three assists, with one of the better helpers you'll see at any level from Austin Combs. Fenton/Linden pulled their goalie and scored with 22 seconds remaining, Zach Eakes from Appleberg, to make it 6-5. Milford's Kerr ended up with 30 saves, while his counterparts for Fenton/Linden, Liam Murray and Loren Jones combined for 20 saves on 26 shots. "We needed that game," exclaimed Milford Coach Gagnon in a joyous Mav locker room.  "What a great start for AC, Hew and TK.  Sure was nice to put six up against a very good, well-coached Griffins club.  They're going to win a lot of games this year." The Mavs will enjoy this one before they head up to Sault Ste. Marie to face an always tough Soo Blue Devils and the Big Rapids Cardinals, coached by Tim Blashill, brother of Red Wings' Coach Jeff Blashill, in the Soo Showcase.