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Lumen Christi vs jackson united hockey

Photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports

By Mike Moore

Staff Writer

 

Jackson — A few untimely penalties and a struggling special teams unit.

 

It was a thin, yet obvious line, that set the Lumen Christi hockey team back in its Jan. 21 loss to Jackson United.

 

The Titans were 10-2-0 at the time and riding a five-game win streak, but then took five penalties, allowed two power-play goals, and were on the wrong end of a 5-2 setback.

 

Their shot at revenge comes Saturday night at 5:30 p.m.

 

“Always looking forward to this game,” coach Mike Wartella said. “Any time you play Jackson it’s easy to get the players motivated all week. They got the better of us last time, so we have to get going.”

 

The Titans have strung together three five-game win streaks this year, and are 15-3-0 entering Friday’s home game with Grand Ledge Fowlerville

 

Admittedly not looking past Friday night, Wartella said discipline was the main issue in the first loss to Jackson.

 

“They were the more disciplined team and got outstanding goaltending in the third,” he said. “We have to play disciplined hockey, and we don’t want to play from behind. We’re scoring five goals a game, and we’re better when we can get out in front.”

 

To Wartella’s point, the Titans have been an offensive threat in every game, scoring three goals or less just five times all season, including a 3-2 win Feb. 3 against Chelsea.

 

Robby Lefere, who scored once against Jackson, leads the team in goals with 20, and had 17 assists.

 

Bo Bell is tied for the scoring lead with 18 goals and 19 assists.

 

Zach Tompkins (13), Connor Mogle (10) and Logan Anuszkiewicz (10) have all also scored double-digit goals.

 

“Special teams will likely be a factor again in this one,” Wartella said. “We feel we’re evenly matched, so we can’t give up any freebies.”

 

Last month’s game featured eight power plays total, which isn’t too bad considering the emotions and rivalry factor.

 

Wartella knows penalties will be had for both teams.

 

“So our penalty kill has to be on,” he said. “We’re going to try and minimize any chances down low.”

 

He stressed how the team that makes the fewest mistakes will likely skate off with a victory, adding that was the difference in January, as Jackson pounced when given the chance.

 

“We expect an emotional game. These guys have played with one another. They know one another,” Wartella added. “They have a coach who does a great job. We have to be ready to play all three periods in front of what we expect to be a big crowd and a great atmosphere.”

 

Jackson has won four in a row over Lumen and is looking to sweep the season series for the second time in a row.  The game will air on JTV Sunday at 1pm and 7pm.

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Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports.

 

He’s also a Real Estate agent with Real Estate One, specializing with buyers and sellers throughout Michigan, from the Jackson area to metro Detroit. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu or by calling (313) 770-6365 with any inquiries.

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