Utica Eisenhower solidified its position in the Macomb Area Conference (MAC) Red Division with a commanding **7-4 victory** over Utica-Fraser Unified on **January 12, 2024**, at Suburban Ice Macomb. The Eagles outperformed their rivals significantly, outshooting Utica-Fraser **53-21** and showcasing their offensive prowess throughout the match.
Eisenhower, boasting a strong **6-1-0** record in January, took control early in the game. Although Utica-Fraser’s **Luke Muczynski** opened the scoring with a goal just over five minutes into the first period, the Eagles responded quickly. **Joey Zelenak**, scoring his **21st goal of the season**, equalized shortly thereafter, followed by two more goals within a span of just over seven minutes, establishing a **3-1 lead** that they maintained throughout the game.
Key Moments and Player Performances
The Eagles continued to build their lead with **Nathan Schilkey** netting two goals, bringing his season total to **26**. After extending their advantage to **4-1**, the Eagles saw a brief resurgence from Utica-Fraser, with Muczynski and **Alexander Gorgievski** each contributing goals to narrow the gap, but Eisenhower’s offense proved too strong. By the end of the second period, the score stood at **5-3** in favor of Eisenhower.
In the third period, goals from Zelenak and **Aidan Evans**, marking his first goal of the season, pushed the Eagles’ lead to **7-3**. Although Gorgievski found the net again for Utica-Fraser, it was not enough to turn the tide. Eisenhower’s goalkeeping duo of **Griffin Curran** and **Connor Holmes** effectively managed the game, helping their team to a record of **15-6-0** overall and a league-leading **15 points** in the MAC Red.
The Eagles’ performance this season has been impressive, notably outscoring their opponents **41-15** in January alone. Their trajectory suggests a strong contender for the league title as they approach the final two games.
Other Notable Games
In separate action, **Warren De La Salle** triumphed over **Traverse City West** with a score of **4-3**. A late goal from **Ryder Legwand**, assisted by **Keegan Tylor**, secured the non-league victory for De La Salle, who managed **34 shots** compared to Traverse City West’s **28**.
The Pilots initially led the match with a goal from **Zack Miller**, but the Titans fought back to take a **2-1 lead**. De La Salle’s **Colton Parraghi** and **Connor Blackwood** both contributed crucial goals to keep the game competitive.
Additionally, **St. Clair Shores Unified** achieved a **5-3** victory against **Dearborn Divine Child** in a non-conference game. The Lakers demonstrated resilience, scoring the game-winning goal from **Gavin Snarski**, who netted his eighth goal of the season. With this victory, St. Clair Shores Unified improved to **16-3-0**, marking one of their best starts in program history.
As the season progresses, the performance of these teams will be pivotal in shaping the outcomes of the MAC Red Division and beyond.
