Birmingham Unified Ties Cranbrook 2-2 in Hockey Scrimmage

The regular season may be a few days away, but it appears that the Birmingham Unified team is ready to go.

"Playing a team like Cranbrook that's had nine state championships in the last 16 years, we looked at it as a regular season game," Birmingham Unified head coach John Weidenbach said.

Both Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, a traditional state power, and Birmingham, a team comprised of players from both and high schools, played like it was the regular season game too. Their exhibition match-up on Wednesday night ended in a 2-2 tie and both teams left Wallace Ice Arena with positives as they near the regular season.

Kingswood came out of the gate very aggressive and kept up the pressure, while Birmingham got very strong play from its netminder and successfully manufactured scoring opportunities. Cranbrook spent much of the first period in Birmingham's zone on the attack. The hosts managed to  double the amount of shots on goal compared to Birminghsm, yet were unable to capitalize.

Forwards Ben Israel and Jeremy Loewenstein had some solid scoring opportunities, but Birmingham goalie Matt Trogu had his head on a swivel.The senior blocked everything that came his way and didn't allow a goal until their was 14 minutes left in the exhibition.

"He played great, he played fantastic," Weidenbach said. "He kept everything out of the net, and the two goals that were scored he didn't have a chance on. As a result he kept us in the game."

Birmingham forward Kevin Wilberding had the best scoring opportunity for either time in the first period. Wilberding  had a breakaway opportunity but placed a shot over Cranbrook goalie Aaron Alkema's right shoulder. Much to the chagrin of visiting Birmingham fans it wasn't a goal, as the shot hit the post and bounced across the ice.

Those supporters weren't upset for long though, as midway through the second period Birmingham scored twice within a two-minute span. The first goal came on a rebound from forward Michael Ryan off a Chris Donnellon slapshot. The second came off the stick of Jake Balicki, whosurprised Alkema with a quick slapshot that went right into the net.

Down 2-0 though, Cranbrook never let up on the attack though and finally broke through in the third period. Israel led the way in third with two assists, setting up forwards Nick Carrothers and Jarett Friedland for goals. Both came after Cranbrook was able to get in their offense and work the puck around.

The two third period goals allowed by Birmingham didn't stop Weidenbach from feeling that his squad  was ready to kick off the regular season.The Unified team opens on the road with games against Clarkston (Detroit Skating Club; November 18) and Howell (Grand Oaks Ice Arena; November 23). Its home opener is on November 26th against rival Auburn Hills Avondale.

Cranbrook still has one more chance to work out any kinks in their game and finalize their lines.Cranbrook has an exhibition game against Flint Powers before opening the regular season at Port Huron Northern on November 20th. It then plays at Trenton on November 24th before returning home to the Wallace Ice Arena for their home opener against University of Detroit Jesuit on November 26.