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Plymouth -- Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood won their sixth boys hockey title of the decade and 14th overall beating Big Rapids 4-3 to earn the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 3 Boys Hockey Championship at Compuware Arena -- fittingly on March 14.

 

It was the seventh championship under Cranbrook head coach Andy Weidenbach. Cranbrook finishes their season 21-7-2. Big Rapids closed a fine season at 17-12-1.

 

Big Rapids came out strong, taking a quick 1-0 lead on senior William McMullen's goal 2:17 into the first. Cranbrook took charge later in the period, taking a 2-1 lead on goals by junior Patrick Brown and senior Aaron Rivkin.

 

Goalss by Rivkin and senior Shota Hotta in the second period extended the Cranes' lead to 4-1. But Big Rapids did not quit. The Cardinals closed the gap to 4-3 after two periods on two goals from junior Thomas Hancock. Neither team scored in the third period.

 

“This is No. 7 for me personally, and they never get old,” said Weidenbach. “They’re all special. Every game has special meaning. We had to work especially hard today and in our last three games. They were all so close. The competition in Division 3 the last five years has improved tremendously.”

 

Cranbrook beat Detroit Country Day (4-0), Berkley (8-2), and Marysville (7-0) in regional play. The Cranes needed overtime to beat Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central in the quarterfinals and edged Flint Powers Catholic 1-0 in the semifinals. Big Rapids beat Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 5-4 to advance to the finals.

 

Senior Matt Hansberry got the win in net for Cranbrook with 11 saves. Cranbrook finished with 24 shots on goal. Big Rapids totaled 14 in the game.

 

Cranbrook has won Division 3 titles in 2007, 2006, 2004, 2001, and 2000. They won Class B-C-D championships in 1997, 1991, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1983, and in 1979.

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood varsity hockey

Head coach: Andy Weidenbach (301-120-28)

Assistant coaches: Pat Ronayne, Andy Weidenbach Jr., Justin Ronayne

Athletic trainer: Julie Middlin

Players

1 Matthew Hansberry, G, 5-9, 155, Sr.

2 John Stockmann, D, 5-10, 180, Jr.

3 Matthew Wahl, D, 6-1, 188, Sr.

4 Adam Wells, D, 5-10, 165, Sr.*

5 Ryan Murray, D, 5-9, 165, So.

6 Kevin Collon, D, 6-1, 200, Jr.

7 Dakota Sherman, F, 6-0, 160, Jr.

8 Joseph Jacoby, D, 6-1, 170, Sr.

9 Alex Loewenstein, F, 5-10, 150, Jr.

10 Patrick Brown, F, 5-11, 182, Jr.

11 Greggory Leondardo, F, 5-10, 170, Sr.

12 Scott Williams, F, 5-10, 180, Sr.*

13 Henry Gembis, F/D, 5-9, 155, Sr.

14 Aaron Rivkin, F, 5-9, 160, Sr.

16 Spencer Tamler, D, 6-2, 170, So.

17 Will Miller, F, 5-9, 155, Jr.

18 Shota Hotta, F, 5-9, 160, Sr.

19 Josh Mastracci, F/D, 6-2, 166, Sr.

21 Christopher Harnadek, F, 5-10, 165, Sr.

29 Thomas Scoggin, G, 5-10, 165, Jr.

30 Oliver Stahl, G, 5-9, 160, So.

* Captains