Cheboygan earns OT win over Dakota, splits weekend games

FRASER/MT. CLEMONS — Just a few days prior, the Cheboygan hockey team captured a thrilling overtime win over rival Sault Ste. Marie.

On Saturday, the Chiefs moved to 2-0 in OT games this season, defeating Macomb Dakota 3-2 and earning a weekend split against Class A competition downstate.

"That game on Saturday, they never gave up," said Cheboygan coach Craig Coxe. "They were tired but they were working hard. I was really happy about the entire weekend. I was really happy about the way things are starting to come around. I knew it was going to take a little bit of time for everybody to get to know each other, but I'm very, very pleased with the progress that we've made in such a short time."

Trailing for a lengthy portion of the contest, the Chiefs fought back to force OT with a strong third period.

In OT, defenseman Alex Clymer buried the second of his team-high two goals to give the Chiefs an impressive road win.

Also scoring for Cheboygan was Luke Karsten, while Carson Bigger had two assists. Sawyer Graham and Clymer each tallied an assist.

Goaltender Scott Pavwoski made 25 stops to earn the win.

Despite a solid performance, the Chiefs fell short in a 5-3 loss to undefeated Utica-Ford Unified on Friday, Dec. 3.

Cody Lane led the Chiefs with two goals, while Ethan Shepard also scored. Recording an assist apiece were Broden Powell, Jacob Jankoviak, Gavin Rose, Bigger, Jack Lane, Bigger and Karsten.

Pavwoski made 34 saves for Cheboygan.

"Both games were really good games, our guys have been playing really well," Coxe said. "We played two games that close together, guys were getting tired, but they just never gave up and I was really proud of them with the way they played on both Friday and Saturday, both against good teams."

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan hockey splits games with Utica-Ford Unified, Macomb Dakota