Eastside's John Mireles scored a first-period goal,

Stars end G.L./Waverly's perfect start. Eastside goalie stops 22 shots in shutout at CAAC showcase
SCOTT YOSHONIS • SYOSHONIS@LSJ.COM • JANUARY 25, 2009 • FROM LANSING STATE JOURNAL

EAST LANSING - Eastside's John Mireles scored a first-period goal, and goalie Jonathan Sheets made it stand up as the Stars handed Grand Ledge/Waverly its first defeat of the season, 1-0, in the CAAC Varsity Hockey Showcase on Saturday at Suburban Ice.

The riveting contest was the first of five games in the third annual all-day event, and it kept Eastside's slim league title hopes alive.

Grand Ledge/Waverly outshot Eastside 22-13 in the game, which Stars coach Travis Van Tighem said was a stark contrast to the last meeting - a 6-2 Comet-Warrior win on Wednesday.

"The difference in this game is that our guys came mentally prepared," he said. "They did a better job of knowing what they had to do, playing as a unit. And we got some big saves from our goalie, and that always helps."

Mireles scored the game's only goal on a 2-on-1 breakaway by the Stars with 2:56 left in the first period. Teaming with Billy Daniels, Mirales beat Grand Ledge/Waverly goalie Austin Hull.

Eastside (9-4-1, 8-3 CAAC) had a chance to double its lead with 6:38 left in the second period, when Daniels stole the puck at his own blueline on a Comet-Warrior power play, skated in on a breakaway and was awarded a penalty shot after being taken down from behind. Daniels missed the net high on Hull's glove side.

Seconds later, Grand Ledge/Waverly (15-1, 8-1) thought it had tied the game, but the whistle blew for an Eastside penalty moments before a loose puck was poked into the Stars' net, nullifying the apparent goal.

The Comet-Warriors pressed for the equalizer and had several close calls, the last and perhaps best of which came with 3:15 remaining in the game. The puck squirted loose from a goal-mouth scramble across the front of the net, but nobody could reach it before it rolled wide of the post.

Sheets, who made 22 saves, said his team's previous loss provided added motivation for the rematch.

"I played like garbage the other night," he said. "I knew I could play better. And as a team, we played better."

Grand Ledge/Waverly coach Brian Clifford lamented his team's missed scoring opportunities.

"Their goalie certainly played well and made some key saves, but we were a little unlucky tonight," Clifford said. "We had chances. The puck was bouncing around every which way, it just didn't pop in."