Traverse City Record-Eagle

Hockey

February 20, 2010

TC West wins 4th straight BNC title

Titans had to win out to earn share of crown

FROM STAFF REPORTS

GAYLORD -- Traverse City West did what it had to do, defeating Gaylord 5-4 on the road Saturday to clinch a share of its fourth straight Big North Conference championship.

The win will put Shane Totten's name on the Howe Arena wall for the fourth time, marking the only time that has been accomplished.

Chris Dienes scored the game-winner with 1:34 left.

"(Jake) Longstreet made a good play to keep the puck in the zone," West coach Jeremy Rintala said. "A defenseman hit Jake Gillis as the puck was on his stick and Dienesey picked it up and shot in it."

The contest was a back-and-forth affair, with Gaylord leading 4-3 late into the third period after a Matt Elswick goal.

Alex Grizzell scored to even it up with 2:53 left.

"It was a nice back-door play to Alex and he buried it, no doubt," Rintala said.

Longstreet opened the scoring 7:10 into the game off Gabe Hisem and Trent McDougall assists.

Gaylord's Nick Fennell evened it up 5:39 into the second before Zach Franklin struck off Dienes and Hisem assists.

Spencer Bajko tied it up with a Blue Devils goal, but Totten found the net with two ticks left on the clock in the second, with Grizzell and Dienes picking up helpers.

Bajko added a power-play goal 1:32 into the third period to knot it up at 3-3.

"We've been playing tight ever since the ruling that we had to win out," RIntala said.

The Titans couldn't afford a loss in any of their final three Big North games after the league forced the team to forfeit a 6-0 win over Alpena because West played four games in a week, a violation of Michigan High School Athletic Association guidelines.

The Titans (14-9, 8-2 BNC) host Sault Ste. Marie next Thursday in their regular-season finale.

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