Little Caesars bests Honeybaked in Girls 16U state final

Little Caesars Girls 16U claimed the state title. (Matt Bishop/Michigan Hockey)

By Matt Bishop –

Taylor — Little Caesars U16 coach Dave Erwin said Honeybaked had given his team fits all year.

That was until Sunday’s MAHA 16U Girls AAA Tier 1 state championship game at Taylor Sportsplex.

Little Caesars jumped on Honeybaked early and often, dominating the play en route to a decisive 4-0 win to capture the title.

Erwin admitted he was surprised that his team was able to shut Honeybaked down the way they did.

“They’re a very talented team,” he said. “Today they came ready and focused. I was surprised we were able to keep them to the outside as much as we did, but that was the game plan, so kudos to the girls for executing the game plan.”

Talking after the game, Erwin kept bringing up “execution.” He was enamored with the way his team executed in the championship game, especially after having a rough start against Honeybaked in pool play.

“We talked about the first five or seven minutes dictating how the game was gonna go,” Erwin said. “They jumped on us early in the round robin, got out to a 2-0 lead and we had to battle back. So we were kind of guarded against that quick start and making sure we got on them first and the girls executed and made plays.”

For Honeybaked, it came down to simply not generation enough scoring chances. For a team that scored 12 times during three games in pool play, it could only muster 10 shots in the championship game.

“They were pretty organized,” Honeybaked coach Ron Robinson said.

Little Caesars most certainly did dictate the pace of play, having several great chances and holding Honeybaked without a shot for nearly the first 12 minutes of the game. Little Caesars outshot Honeybaked 9-2 in a scoreless first period.

“We’re known to come out a little lethargic in the beginning and we didn’t today,” Erwin said.

If not for the play of Honeybaked goaltender Madison Murray, the game could’ve gotten out of hand, especially early. She made 23 saves, including 21 through the first two periods.

“She played a great game,” Erwin said. “As busy as she was early on, she really kept them in the game for the first two periods and gave them an opportunity to win.”

Little Caesars finally broke through with about five minutes left in the second period when Shelly Czarnowczan’s shot somehow found its way through a ton of traffic in front and into the goal. Kelsey Tucker and Brooke Baker picked up the assists.

The flood gates started to open for Little Caesars in the third period as Honeybaked continued to take penalties (they took six on the day).

“We killed a lot of penalties in the first two periods,” Robinson said. “It’s tough when you’re short-handed. We weren’t disciplined enough and therefore, when you’re always defending, it’s tough to get stuff going at their net.”

Brooke Lupi would begin the barrage for Little Caesars on the power play with a beautiful shot off a cross-ice feed from Elise Plancon. Just a little more than three minutes later, Marne Gallent gave Little Caesars a 3-0 lead on an unassisted backhand and Tucker would cap the scoring with a 4-on-4 goal with 2:44 left.

“I don’t think I felt good about anything until that fourth goal went in, to be honest with you,” Erwin said. “They’re such a good team, they have a couple really dynamics players, so we were guarded the whole way through. That was the message, even with three minutes left, I told them we had to play it like it was a one-goal game.”

Claire Lachner had a relatively easy day in goal, stopping all 10 shots she faced. Murray was continually peppered and made 23 saves.

“That’s no reflection on her, that score,” Robinson said. “She made some great stops.”