Cheboygan hockey’s season ends in double-OT loss to Cadillac
TRAVERSE CITY – History looked like it was going to repeat itself on Friday night.
Earlier in the season, the Cheboygan Chiefs hockey team captured a 5-4 victory over the Cadillac Vikings in overtime.
However, it ended up being the other way around this time.
It was the Vikings who came out on top in extra time. And, unfortunately for the Chiefs, it marked the end of their 2022-23 season.
Despite battling back to force overtime, the Chiefs suffered a 5-4 double-OT loss to the Vikings during a MHSAA Division 3 regional semifinal in Traverse City.
For Cheboygan coach Craig Coxe and his team, it was a painful way to close out the season.
“It’s unhappy to end your season that way, especially since our team has played pretty well lately,” said Coxe. “We got behind the eight ball a little bit, down a couple of goals, but we never gave up and we just kept working hard. We ran into a hot goalie (Dylan Quartz), and he made some huge saves for them, and I’m really proud of my team. I’m really happy with the way they’ve been playing, especially the last month.
“It’s just unfortunate that somebody’s gotta lose.”
Ending Cheboygan’s season was Cadillac’s Gabe Outman, who capped off a hat-trick performance by scoring the game-winning goal with 1:05 left in the second overtime. The victory for the Vikings was their first of the campaign over the Chiefs, who prevailed in the two regular season clashes.
Trailing 4-2 after two periods, the Chiefs (9-16) rallied in the third with goals from seniors Oliver Walvaag and Carson Bigger, which tied the game at 4-4. Both teams remained tied as the contest went to OT.
With the game tied at 1-1 after one period, the Vikings (13-12-1) scored three goals in the second to build a 4-2 advantage. Outman netted two goals in the period.
Bigger and Walvaag both finished with two goals for the Chiefs, while Blaine Baldwin tallied two assists. Also adding assists were Luke Karsten, Cody Lane, Gavin Rose, Broden Powell and Walvaag.
While it was a tough season for the Chiefs record-wise, Coxe praised his players’ ability to keep battling every single time they took the ice.
“I’m really happy, because earlier this season we could’ve just folded our tent up – and we didn’t,” Coxe said. “They stayed focused, they worked hard, and me and the entire coaching staff are really happy with what they gave us.”
Cheboygan held a 45-33 advantage in shots, but Quartz had a big night for the Vikings, making 41 saves.
Playing in his final game for the Chiefs, senior goaltender Chaston Rose made 28 stops in net.
Cheboygan says goodbye to its seven-player senior class of Luke Karsten, Blaine Baldwin, Jacob Jankoviak, Jordan Socolovitch, Carson Bigger, Chaston Rose and Oliver Walvaag.
“It really is difficult this year, especially because Luke’s played for me for four years, Blaine’s played with me for four years, JJ (Jankoviak) four years, Chaston four years, Soco (Socolovitch) four years, Carson three years, and Oliver’s the only one who’s only been here one year,” Coxe said of his seniors. “I had these guys for a long time and you hate to see them go, but you can’t keep them forever.”
Cadillac advances to the regional final to face Bay Area Reps in Traverse City on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan hockey’s season ends in double OT loss to Cadillac
