On another cold and blustery Michigan evening, some 800 fans braved a winter weather advisory to witness the eighth annual Mayors Cup, pitting high school hockey rivals and in a test to claim bragging rights for 2011.
In a high-spirited game that got away from Dearborn Unified early due to several costly man advantages, Divine Child did not waste its opportunities in taking a four-goal, first-period lead before going on to win by a final score of 7-0.
Tonight’s outcome marks a fourth consecutive win for Divine Child in the Mayors Cup series, bringing their overall record to 6-1-1 since the inaugural game in 2004.
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For Divine Child head coach Brian Dallas, the one-sided result came as a surprise in what many had expected to be a much closer contest.
“When you’re in a rivalry game, and one team scores four in the first period, it really changes the whole complexion of things,” Dallas said.
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Divine Child was paced by Ryan Desjarlais and Paul Kinder with three points each, and captain Jimmy Prevost with four points.
“I was ready for it, I was pumped, and I went out there and played my hardest, and came out and had fun,” Kinder said.
“Our seniors really stepped up, and really wanted this game tonight,” Dallas said
For his part, a disappointed Dearborn Unified head coach Mike Sears lamented uncharacteristic mistakes in the early going.
“The defense normally is pretty solid, (but we made) a lot of turnovers in our own zone today,” Sears said. “And they capitalized on it just about every time.”
Prior to the game Sears commented that penalties would be a key factor, and in this he proved to be only too correct.
To its credit, effort was not an issue for Dearborn Unified, as the squad played with intensity to the end.
Senior forward Michael Sears excelled in the losing effort.
