Canton Shuts Out Hartland

When the final buzzer sounded Wednesday night in Hartland, Canton goalie Spencer Craig was swarmed by teammates.

It wasn’t for the simple fact they shut out the Hartland Eagles, 6-0, and it was the first time the Eagles have been shut out all season, but Craig, a junior, set the Canton High School hockey record for shutouts in a season with five.

“Our defense played really well and I saw the puck really well tonight,” Craig said. “We had a few defensive breakdowns, but I was up to it. … With the amount of guys we have out we did real well. We’ve been coming together as a team.”

Craig finished with 20 saves including one off a point-blank shot by Hartland senior captain Zak Bodziak, who leads the Eagles in goals. He also fended off five Hartland power-play chances. Hartland got off 11 of their 20 shots on the power play.

“He’s been playing outstanding for us. He’s kept us in every single game, in games that we maybe shouldn’t have been in,” Canton head coach Jeremy Majszak said.

Hartland head coach Howard Copeland said the Eagles aren't making the most of their opportunities and need to step up their play.

"I think the play was pretty even back and forth," he said. "They took shots and we didn't. We pass up opportunities to try and get better opportunities. Their first goals came off rebounded shots. We're not getting any rebounds, any tips, or any shots."

The Chiefs took an early lead four minutes into the contest. Jimmy LaFontaine, Canton’s senior captain, fired a wrist shot from 14-feet out that was rebounded and put in net by A.J. Rosales.

LaFontaine added a goal of his own to open the third period. He split two Hartland defenders leaving him with a one-on-one chance against goalie Aaron Zeddell and he capitalized on the opportunity.

Canton broke the game open in the second period after scoring three goals. Jordan Smith popped a shot over then goalie Austin Kinzel. Brandon Grillo deked Kinzel and passed to a wide open Martin Sisolak, who pushed the puck into the net. Jon Rizzo added the last goal via a wrist shot following a turnover in the Hartland defensive zone. Kinzel was pulled following the Rizzo goal.

“We skated well. We came out with a lot of intensity,” Majszak added. “This was a mental game for us to see where we stood. We have some big games coming up. … We wanted to send a message. We feel pretty good and pretty confident right now.”

Hartland, 12-11-1, will look to rebound when the Eagles take on Lakeland, whom they defeated earlier this season, Tuesday at home.