Hockey: Eagles score late goal in regulation, but fall in OT to Pinckney

The Skyline hockey team fell to a strong Pinckney team 3-2 in overtime on Saturday at the Arctic Coliseum in Chelsea but the Eagles are taking it all in stride – keeping an eye on the big picture.

“We still have to iron out some things and need to work on if we want to make a run,” Skyline coach Jake Stripp said. “Pinckney has their strongest team in probably 10 years. They should be getting more respect and credit than people are giving them, they could definitely make a run in playoffs.”

And so could Skyline. The Eagles are ranked No. 25 overall by State Champs, regardless of division. They also are the top-ranked team in their regional this year so they will get the bye when playoffs begin.

In the loss to the Pirates, Skyline opened the scoring when AJ Schmunk scored at 6:33 of the first period. Sei Nakamura and Sam Begosso earned the assists.

In the second period, Pinckney scored twice – on goals by Christopher Jackson and Tyler Beckwith – to take a 2-1 lead.

At 3:54 of the third period, Jamie Newton scored an unassisted goal to even the score at 2-2.

But in overtime, Pinckney’s Evan Drus scored the game-winner at 2:53.

The Eagles play Pioneer at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at the Ice Cube.