Regional Champs!
Novi defeats Walled Lake Central 7-6 in O.T.
Steve Rousseau nets 4,
including the game winner
3/4/06 by Scott Olson

In an over-time thriller, the Novi Wildcats defeated the Walled Lake Central Vikings 7-6 for the Regional Championship at the Novi Ice Arena Friday evening. It was a packed house, as fans lined up around the boards for a view of what was sure to be an exciting hockey game.

They weren't disappointed.

After several minutes of fast-paced hockey action in the first period, the Vikings scored on a power play. Novi answered back seconds later, as Ryan Fox poked one in from in front of the net off a pass from Tom Ciaverilla and Steve Rousseau. Two minutes later it was Ryan Timar scoring with an assist from Ciaverilla and Fox to make it 2-1 Novi after one period.

The Vikings started the second period with another power play goal to even things up, but it wasn't long before Rousseau decided he'd had enough. He poked in his first of four goals for the evening on a net scramble. Two minutes later Ciaverilla scored with a slap-shot right in front of the net. Then, with 1:43 to go in the period, Rousseau wrapped the puck around the Viking net to make it 5-2 Novi after two.

In the third period, the Wildcats took a couple tough penalties, and the Vikings capitalized on both. Then the Vikings scored short-handed, and with 2:08 left to go scored again - four goals to move ahead 6-5.

Time-out Novi.

The next minute and 42 seconds were very fast paced, as the Vikings played a man short and Novi controlled the puck and tried to even things up. Then, with just 26 seconds to go to a season-ender, Rousseau scored off a pass from Timar and Ciaverilla to keep the Wildcat's hopes alive. It was a 6-6 tie after three periods of action.

The Wildcats came into overtime with a vengeance to take back what they'd lost in the third period. Steve Rousseau charged toward the net. It was crystal-clear he was on a mission to score. He circled around quickly and popped in the game winner, and a Regional Championship.

The standing-room only crowd went wild.

The Wildcats immediately pilled on one another at center ice, then lined up to accept the regional trophy from Novi Athletic Director Curt Ellis and shake hands with the Vikings.

Brad Clos was in net for Novi, and played a solid game while stopping many Vikings volleys. The three captains lead the team - Rousseau had 5 points, and Ciaverilla and Fox had 4 each. Novi's defense was all over the Vikings, frustrating many of their scoring opportunities.

Novi is now 17-8-2 for the season. This was the eleventh win a row for the 'Cats, who have become the force to be reckoned with. Solid goal tending, coupled with a defensive line that has become stronger with each game and forwards like Rousseau, Timar, Fox and Ciaverilla who can always be counted on and cannot be stopped, have turned the Wildcats into a winning hockey machine this season.

The Wildcats move on to play Saline Tuesday at the Novi Ice Arena. Face-off is 6:00 p.m.  Saline defeated Hartland 3-2 (MORE). 

The winner of Tuesday's game plays (the winner of Grosse Pointe South vs. Trenton)  in the semi-final game on Thursday March 9th at 6:00 p.m. at Compuware.

The state final game for Division II is Saturday March 11th at 11:00 a.m. at Compuware.