YES, SIR! Carter Overtime Winner Leads Eskymos

Click the thumbnails to see photos, videos, and hear post-game comments from Cale Carter, Graham Johnson, and Coach Andy Johnson.

Also click the AUDIO buttons to hear the radio replasy of the game-winning goal, and of the player spotlight interviews with Graham and Griffin Johnson.

TRAVERSE CITY---Cale Carter scored with 32.5 seconds left in overtime to lift the Escanaba High School hockey team to a 3-2 win over the Traverse City Central Trojans on Saturday at the Centre Ice Arena. It ended an intense up-and-down battle that saw 76 shots on goal and multiple huge saves by both goaltenders.

The win helped the Eskymos sweep the weekend and give the Eskymos the Iron Trophy for a second straight year.

"That's the kind of game that you want to play in, right there," Escanaba Coach Andy Johnson said. "One bounce of the puck goes one way or another, it's a totally different game. It was a fun, but stressful, game to be a part of. It could have went either way."

For much of the game, it was a battle of goaltenders, as Central's Kiel Knapp and Escanaba's Cully Hayes exchanged great save after great save. Hayes had several clutch saves in the final minutes of regulation, and in the overtime period, while Knapp was outstanding throughout the game. Knapp stopped five breakaways, stoning Owen LaBaonte twice.

"We had so many Grade A chances, and he was there, sliding across the crease, closing the five hole," Johnson said. "His angles were right there. He controlled his rebounds. I mean, how many missed nets did we have? He wasn't giving us any looks. Just controlling everything."

The Eskymos, though, finally got to Knapp late in overtime. Trojans defenseman Kaden Burkholder took a chance in the neutral zone as the final seconds wore down.

The gamble failed as the turnover led to two Eskymos (Carter and Nick Martinson) coming in on Knapp with no defenders. Carter, who won a game in overtime with a goal in this building last January at the North/South Showcase, took the puck, skated in, and roofed it, ending the game and giving the Eskymos a weekemd sweep and a 4-1-0 overall season record.

"That's crazy," Carter said. "It was a great game for everyone. I mean, we were gassed. but we just got it done. It's a crazy feeling. A goal that wins a game two weeks in a row. I think we were prepared for the longh bus ride here.We were ready to go. We were locked in, and it worked out well."

Graham Johnson continued his torrid scoring pace, putting the Eskymos up, 1-0, on a power play goal just 1:12into the game. The Trojans tied it less than a minute later when Drew Zrimec scored on a rebound to make it a 1-1 game.

It stayed that way until Johnson grabbed a loose puck in the second period, skatecd in on Knapp, deeked him, and tucked it in on his backhand to make it a 2-1 Eskymo lead.

Moments later, the arena was stunned when Traverse City sophomore Jaxson Sopher collided with LaBonte along the end boards. He immediastely collapsed, and lay on his stomach for a long period of time, with no movement. Emergency services crews arrived to help Soper, and brought out a stretcher and blankets to take him to the Munson Medical Center.

Late word from longtime Trojans Coach Chris Givens Saturday night was that Soper was still hospitalized, but did have movement with his arms and legs.

The game waqs delayed for nearly an hour, and once it resumed, the emotional Trojans started carrying the play to the Eskymos. Athur McManus scored to tie the game, and the Eskymos fought hard, with Hayes' help in net, to get the game to the third period tied at 2-2.

"We knew they would come out flying and they'd want to get that win for their buddy," Coach Johnson said. "They were going to lay everything on the line. The intensity of the game was going to pick up double from what it was. Which it did."

And that set up an intense final 17 minutes, and then more than seven minutes of overtime play, in which both Hayes and Knapp stood on their heads to keep their teams alive.

Finally, Carter ended it with just seconds left, and the Eskymos prepared for a very snowy bus ride home with two wins against quality Traverse City opponents.

Escanaba will be on the road again next weekend, with games Friday night in Calumet and Saturday afternoon in Hancock. Both games will be broadcast live on FM-93.5 and AM-600, as well as at www.rrnsports.com.