Quigley Uses His Strength as Salem tops Churchill

's hockey team played fast and furious and it paid off Saturday afternoon.

Senior Ryan Quigley used his biggest strength — his speed — to help his team to a 7-5 victory over Livonia Churchill.

The game was moved from the outdoor rink at Clark Park in Detroit to the Arctic Pond Arena in Plymouth. The move was a result of funding issues with the charity Hockey has Heart which was putting on the all-day hockey event, according to Salem team manager Keith Berg.

The rivalry between Kensington Lakes Activities Association South Division foes Salem (8-3-1, 4-2) and Churchill (6-5, 3-5) was apparent as the action started hot and did not let up. Helmets were knocked off, shoves were given out and many words were exchanged. Salem head coach Ryan Ossenmacher said the two teams always play heated.

“When we play each other it’s for something because we are both in the same league and the same division,” he said. “They are a good team. They are well-coached and we know it’s going to be a battle every time.”

Chargers head coach Pete Mazzoni said the two teams meet often, which fuels the rivalry.

“The kids know each other and we play them quite a bit,” he said. “The kids usually look forward to the game.”

Churchill started the scoring frenzy with a goal off the stick of senior Joe Williams. But Salem wasn’t far behind. The Rocks took the puck down to their end of the ice and got on the board with a goal by senior Nick Hayes, who followed up his goal with a body slam into the opposing fans’ glass.

Just 20 seconds later, Salem took a 2-1 lead courtesy of Quigley. Ossenmacher said as long as Quigley uses his speed he can play at his best.

“Anytime he steps on the ice he can be the fastest kid on the ice,” Ossenmacher said. “He picked it up for us.”

The Rocks came into the second period ready to stretch their lead and a goal by junior Michael Manser just 10 seconds into the period did just that.

That lead didn’t last for long though. Back-to-back goals by Churchill senior Steven Klisz and junior Jake Otto closed the gap to tie the game at 3-3.

Then, the Rocks went on a four-goal streak, including two more from Quigley. Juniors Austin Sartorius and Mark McGee also scored.

Churchill put two more scores past Salem goalie Brandon Price, including Klisz’s second, but it was too little, too late. Price was fighting off shots all game, but he says that’s just the way he likes it.

“I love when everything is in my end,” Price said. “The more shots I’m getting the more it keeps me warmed up and ready.”

Price’s efforts were not lost on Ossenmacher, who said the senior, in his first year with Salem, has played consistently well.

“He’s been our best player this year,” Ossenmacher said. “We need him to play well to win.”

 Churchill ran the gamut of goalies but could not stop the Salem pucks. Quigley said that is always a good sign.

“It just shows that we are mixing it up and doing our best to put the puck in the net and keep them on their toes,” Quigley said.