Mona Shores Varsity Hockey Club

Games at Lakeshore Sport Centre

Friday January 27th @ 7:00 PM
Saturday January 28th @ 1PM

Mona Shores hockey coach Charlie Link described his Sailors as “impatient” Wednesday night, but they waited until the final 30 seconds of the first period to score their first goal against Rockford and until the final two minutes of the second period to score their second.

The Sailors eventually opened up a 3-0 lead and went on to beat the Rams 4-1.

“Those first two goals were huge because Rockford plays a very patient style and we are very impatient,” Link said. “They always play us well. Next to Catholic Central, they are the toughest team in this league, regardless of what the records are.”

Mona Shores (8-6 overall, 4-6 OK Hockey Conference Tier I) lost to Rockford 4-2 the first time the teams met this season.

“The first time they played position hockey and were very patient,” Link said. “We’re not patient. They took advantage of their opportunities the first time, but tonight we made a few adjustments, like we always try to do. Rockford (9-8, 4-4-1 Tier I) likes to play along the boards and we go along the boards, too, usually. Tonight, we tried to get away from the boards a little more and play down the middle.”

Reed Hrynewich scored the first goal for the Sailors with 29 seconds remaining in the first period and teammate Brandon Cottrell scored the second goal, and his first of three in the game, with 1:43 remaining in the second period.

Cottrell made it 3-0 with a power-play goal 2:16 into the third period, but the Rams’ Trevor Mills answered with a goal only 37 seconds later. Cottrell capped the scoring at 8:14 of the third period. Adam Ulfsax had three assists for Mona Shores.

“Their top line ate us up. They stole the show,” Rockford coach Ed VanPortfliet said. “We couldn’t buy a goal tonight. This was not our night for scoring goals and we had multiple chances.”

Mona Shores, Rockford and the rest of the Tier I teams are chasing Catholic Central, which lost in conference play for the first time Wednesday.  

“All of these games are going to be close,” VanPortfliet said. “Except for Catholic Central, which is doing it, it’s so hard to sweep a team. I told our guys to keep working hard because I was quite happy with the effort tonight. Lady luck just wasn’t on our side tonight.”

Kelly Hill | The Grand Rapids Press

Adam Ulfsax and Reed Hrynewych each had two goals to lead Muskegon Mona Shores over Grandville 6-2 Wednesday night in boys ice hockey at the Georgetown Ice Center in Hudsonville.

Mona Shores connected on three power play goals in the game but also gave up a power play goal late in the game. Hrynewych also picked up two assists for four points in the game.

Grandville opened the scoring with a goal by Max Houtman but that lead was short lived. Mona Shores forward Adam Ulfsax answered a few minutes later scoring on a power play midway through the first period.

Mona Shores then opened up their lead scoring three unanswered goals in the second period. Ulfsax connected on his second goal of the game midway through the period. Gage Veltman and Brandon Cottrell then connected on a pair of power play goals 1:03 apart from each other late in the period.

Grandville forward Corey Giffel scored a power play goal from teammate Issac Lippert to shrink Mona Shores lead but Hrynewich answered with one of his two thrid period goals 30 seconds later to seal the victory for Mona Shroes.

"It was a fast paced game and doing the little things right really made a difference" said Mona Shores coach Charlie Link. "Taking advantage of those power plays really opened things up for us as well.

Mona Shores outshot Grandville 30-14 and only committed two penalties compared to Grandville's seven.

Dan McDonald | The Grand Rapids Press

ROCKFORD 4, MONA SHORES 2: The host Sailors received goals from Adam Ulfsax and Chandler Mancuso in the loss. Mona Shores goalie Nate Rabbitt made 15 saves for the Sailors who outshot Rockford 32-19.

Shawn Liverance

This video was created by T1G to be played before the game agienst Kentwood on friday night Konrad.

Doug Zelenka      Grand Haven
Brett White       East Kentwood
Tyler Gordon    Portage Central
Austin Swaitek    Mona Shores
Adam Ulfsax     Mona Shores

Trournament MVP
Reed Hrynewich

The Mona Shores hockey team clearly has things turned around.

In a four-team Stan Konrad Memorial Hockey Tournament of reasonably evenly-matched teams, the Sailors made it look easy in both of their games.

A day after routing rival East Kentwood 6-2 in the semifinals, Shores did it again to Portage Central, rolling past the Mustangs at Lakeshore Sports Centre by the same 6-2 score for its fourth straight Konrad title.

"I would have predicted a closer game with EK, but we did a good job of finishing it off," said Shores junior foward Reed Hrynewich, who was named the tourney's MVP.

"We're definitely getting a lot stronger. We're a young team and we've gotten tougher the more we've played."

The Sailors left little doubt who was the best team on the 23rd anniversary of the tournament, at least at this time of the season.

The hosts scored three first-period goals and led 4-0 through two periods.

The most impressive part came from the Shores defense, which blocked shots and played well positionally to not allow the Mustangs many opportunities to score.

The collective play by the Sailors' defense earned them one of three game pucks from the Shores coaching staff.

"They did what they're supposed to do," Shores coach Charlie Link said. "They played a great game.

"We keep focusing on the little things, and when you do those well it leads to big things."

Hrynewich and Austin Swiatek led the offense with two goals apiece.

Gage Veltman started the scoring with a goal midway through the first period. Hrynewich then took over with goals 35 seconds apart late in the period.

"I guess it means a lot to be named MVP," said Hrynewich, who added an assist. "It all started with our goalie (Nate Rabbitt) and our defense doing their jobs. Nothing happens without them."

Swiatek, who had two assists for a four-point night, scored the lone goal of the second period.

Justin Renda scored 4:02 into the third period to spoil Rabbitt's shutout bid, but Swiatek and Brandon Cottrell tallied the next two goals to put the game away.

Colin Rabach collected two assists for the Sailors, who went 2-for-4 on the power play.

Shores prevented Portage Central from scoring on any of its five power play opportunities.

"It takes a little time for the kids to get used to the system," Link explained. "We're really young this season and I think we're just getting comfortable with everything and making the plays we need to make."

 Scott Brandenburg | Muskegon Chronicle

Mona Shores hockey is used to success. And its winning ways usually get started with a good showing at the annual Stan Konrad Memorial Tournament.

This year appears to be no different.

The Sailors scored five straight goals to defeat East Kentwood 6-2 on Friday at the 23rd annual Konrad at Lakeshore Sports Centre.

Mona Shores (4-5) advances to today's 4 p.m. final against Portage Central. The Sailors were denied a third meeting with Grand Haven, after the Mustangs downed the Bucs 2-1 in the opening game. Grand Haven and East Kentwood will drop the puck in the consolation game today at 2 p.m.

Adam Ulfsax had two goals and three assists for the Sailors, who are looking to capture their fourth consecutive tournament title.

"We're doing the little things that'll make us a better team," Shores coach Charlie Link said. "We have young kids and they're still going to make mistakes, but they're doing the things they should."

Mona Shores jumped out to a 1-0 lead as Tyler Bryant picked up a loose puck in front of the Falcons' net and backhanded it in for a power-play goal 8 minutes into the first.

East Kentwood (6-5) took advantage of Sailor turnovers to pepper goalie Nate Rabbitt, but couldn't solve the Shores sophomore netminder until they had a 5-on-3 advantage, scoring with less than 1 minute left in the first period to tie the game, 1-1.

"The first 6 minutes of the game, they really came at us," Kentwood coach Todd Bell said. "It was good to get out of the period tied at 1."

With the Falcons on the power-play early in the second period, the Sailors' Ulfsax picked up a loose puck along the boards, moved in and fired a wrist-shot past goalie Zack Casavant for a short-handed goal and a 2-1 lead.

"(East Kentwood) was coming really hard at us," Ulfsax said. "The defense did a good job of chipping the puck ahead to us and setting us up."

Mona Shores took a 3-1 lead 3 minutes later when Reed Hrynewich carried the puck into the Kentwood zone, avoided a check along the boards and backhanded a perfect pass to Austin Swiatek who one-timed it into an open net.

Bryant, Ulfsax and Gage Veltman scored goals in the first 9 minutes of the third period to put the Sailors up 6-1.

"That was a huge win for us," said Rabbitt, who finished with 24 saves. "Our defense really stepped up tonight and we took care of our end first. That's a good way to win games."

Hrynewich and Colin Rabach finished with two assists each and Veltman, Ryan Barnhard and Jake Dobb added assists.

The Falcons finished with a 26-24 shot advantage.

David Tomczak | Muskegon Chronicle

 After experiencing one goal losses in each of its last two games, Mona Shores wasn't about to experience a third.

The Sailors removed any doubt in their OK Tier I Conference game with Grand Haven Wednesday with a 3-goal third period, en route to a 5-2 win at Lakeshore Sports Centre.

"It was a conference game and we needed a conference win," Sailors coach Charlie Link said. "It was a big deal (the win), but we're not acting like it."

After falling to Grand Haven, 2-1, last Wednesday and East Grand Rapids, 3-2, Saturday, Mona Shores needed to bounce back to keep any thoughts of a conference title alive even this early in the season.

It didn't look like it was going to happen in this game.

Earning the programs first ever win over the Sailors last week, the Bucs (8-1, 4-1) seemed about to add win No. 2 as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first 1:12 of the game.

And it was almost 3-0 two minutes later when Will VerDuin clanked a shot off the crossbar. But after the initial rush, Mona Shores slowly gain control of the game, outshooting the Bucs 12-8 in the first period despite ending it down 2-0.

"They were first to the puck, they outhit us, and they deserved a better fate in the first period," Bucs coach Dan Gadbois said. "They deserved to win, they earned it."

The Sailors finally got on the board 3:26 into the second period on Gage Veltman's goal and pulled even with three minutes left in the period as Grand Haven failed to clear the zone and the Sailors worked the puck around to Adam Ulfsax who went top-shelf to tie the game.

Heading to the third period tied at 2-all, Mona Shores (3-5, 2-4) and Grand Haven looked as if it could come down to another one-goal decision.

But the Sailors' Austin Swiatek relieved the stress of the Shores faithful, who had slowly filled the arena until there was only standing room along the boards when the first puck was dropped.

Swiatek scored twice in the first 6:12 of the third period, redirecting Andrew Grevel's slapshot past Bucs' goalie Zach Kooi for a 4-2 lead.

"That took a lot of pressure off of us offensively and defensively," Swiatek said of the two-goal lead. "It's a big win and we'll carry the momentum over into (2012)."

David Tomczak/Muskegon Chronicle

EAST GRAND RAPIDS 3, MONA SHORES 2: At Grand Rapids, the Pioneers scored with 6 minutes remaining, handing Mona Shores its second late-game loss in two games. The Sailors took the first period lead on a goal from Reed Hrynewich as Glenn Kastelic assisted on the play. Sam Curran connected off a pass from Hrynewich, giving the Sailors a 2-1 lead in the second period. Jordan Sanford lifted East Grand Rapids with two goals, including the game-winner. Mona Shores goalie Nate Rabbitt posted 16 saves as the Sailors outshot East Grand Rapids 30-19.

Jason Goorman | Muskegon Chronicle

Looking to earn the program's first-ever win against Mona Shores in hockey, Grand Haven got production from an unexpected source.

Defenseman Tyler Ploeg scored twice as the host Bucs defeated the Sailors, 2-1, Wednesday in OK Tier I action at the Edge Ice Arena.

"This was a big win for us," the junior said. "It's our first time ever beating them, and we've had this game marked on our calendars since last year's playoffs."

Mona Shores ended Grand Haven's season in the first round of the playoffs last year and the Bucs have been looking for revenge ever since.

It didn't look that way early, as the Sailors withstood an early run from Grand Haven to take control of the first period, earning a 1-0 lead when Reed Hrynewich banked a shot off a Bucs defender.

But penalties killed the Sailors' momentum and Ploeg was able to score on the powerplay midway through the second period to tie the game at 1-all.

"With a young team that's going to happen," Sailors coach Charlie Link said of the penalties. "When you get those you can't keep the momentum going and guys get tired."

Grand Haven (7-0, 3-0) looked to have a 2-1 lead after two periods, but a go-ahead goal was waved off.

Just five minutes into the third period, Ploeg would score on a wrister from the point to give the Bucs a 2-1 lead. The goals were Ploeg's first two of the year.

"Tyler's been playing solid hockey all year for us," Bucs coach Dan Gadbois said. "And he was rewarded tonight. It's a big win for us, but it's just one game, tomorrow this will be history."

Grand Haven outshot Mona Shores (2-4, 1-4) 32-22 and Bucs goalie Zach Kooi finished with 21 saves.

The Sailors' Nate Rabbitt had 30 saves and Austin Swiatek had the game's lone assist.

Dave Tomczak | Muskegon Chronicle

MONA SHORES 3, FOREST HILLS NORTHEASTERN 2: At Grand Rapids, Adam Ulfsax scored two goals and Jake Dobb scored one to lead the Sailors (2-3). Earning assists were Gage Veltman, Kyle Vanderwall, Colin Rabach, Sam Curran and Reid Hrynewich. Nate Rabbitt also made 18 saves in goal for Shores, which was outshot 20-18.

Mike Mattson | Muskegon Chronicle

Mona Shores is having a hard time staying out of penalty box in high school hockey.

The host Sailors were whistled for seven penalties in a 7-4 loss to Forest Hills Northeastern Wednesday night.

"Penalties did us in again," said Shores coach Charlie Link, whose team allowed four power-play goals. "It's been pretty frustrating. It's hard for us to play short-handed with all of our new players."

Adam Ulfsax, Austin Swiatek, Kyle Vanderwall and Tyler Bryant each scored a goal for the Sailors (1-3, 0-3). Shores was outshot 25-18.

Mike Mattson | Muskegon Chronicle

 GRAND RAPIDS CATHOLIC 9, MONA SHORES 1: At Grand Rapids, Mona Shores was outshot 45-18 in this game at Southside Ice Arena. "It was not one of our best performances." Mona Shores coach Charlie Link said. Tyler Bryant scored the Sailors' lone goal.

The Sailors record falls to 1-2-0 and 0-2 in conference play.

Mona Shores scored five third-period goals in a 7-1 nonconference win over Forest Hills Central Wednesday at Lakeshore Sports Centre. The Sailors (1-1) stopped Central on seven second-period power plays and went into the third with a 2-1 lead. Colin Rabach scored twice, Adam Ulfsax had a goal and two assists, Jake Dobb, Gabe Veltman, Austin Swiatek and Brandon Cottrell added goals and Reed Hrynewich had two assists. Nate Rabitt had 15 saves as Shores outshot FHC 28-16.

By Dave Tomczak | Muskegon Chronicle,

We are looking for hockey pictures for the players below. They have all earned a spot on the wall of fame in the Sailor Locker room. We need help to complete the pictures, right now the frames just say picture pending. I sure would like to put a picture in the spot so all of these players can have the honor they deserve.

Scott Grassman
Charles Ginman
Eric Maxwell
Troy Kuzma
Kevin Jeager
Kevin Souser
Jacob Zimmer
Casey Rosenberg
Scott Posthumus
Ryan Posthumus
 

We have been working very hard to complete this wall. If you know any of these players please have them contact or send us pictures.

Download the complete 2011/2012 Schedule.

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June 15, 2012

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