Salem hockey shines in mercy win against Livonia Franklin

Salem hockey head coach Ryan Ossenmacher thought his team did some good things its last time out against Trenton. But he acknowledged that teams are judged based on results, and the result was not good enough, falling to the Trojans, 3-2. 

But the Rocks had a chance last Thursday to right the ship against Livonia Franklin, a team that has not won a game since Dec. 14. 

And 10 minutes, 38 seconds into game play, the rout began, as the Rocks (11-4) scored four first-period goals, leading to the 8-0 mercy win against Franklin (1-13).

Salem will next take on Brighton in a KLAA West match on Saturday, while Franklin takes on Livonia Stevenson in a KLAA East game Friday. 

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After a scoreless five minutes, Ossenmacher was thinking that he was in for another “dogfight.” However, after the first of two goals by forward Alex Schaumburger, answered shortly by a goal from forward Dylan Enszer 42 seconds later, the Salem head coach knew momentum had shifted. 

“We have a tendency to score in spurts, so after we put in a couple like that, I think it’s a matter of confidence,” Ossenmacher said. 

Defensively, Salem continued to shine. 

Led by sophomore goalkeeper Andre Generaux, the Rocks recorded its third shutout in their past four games and its fifth of the season. 

While Ossenmacher said shutouts start at goal, he said guys up front blocking shots and not allowing second opportunities is a major factor in keeping the opponent scoreless. 

To Schaumburger, this is an aspect that Salem is now more committed to. 

“A lot of the guys are more committed to blocking shots, getting pucks out, grinding in the corners, doing all the little things,” Schaumburger said. “The little things that we are doing well this year is leading up to the big things, which is producing success for us and it’s making it more fun to be out there.” 

With a power-play advantage, Salem scored its third goal of the first period, as Schaumburger attempted a shot from 15 feet outside of goal, with junior forward Matt Rochna tapping the puck in for the score. 

After capitalizing again with 25.8 seconds left in the first period, Salem left the ice for the first time with a four-goal advantage, with senior Aiden Powers setting the tone in the second period with a goal of his own. 

Ossenmacher’s goal is to get to four goals. In each of Salem’s losses this season, the Rocks have averaged only two goals per game. 

Holding a five-goal lead heading into the third period, Salem put the finishing touches against the struggling Franklin defense. 

The Rocks added three more goals — scores from Schaumburger, senior forward Mitchell Patrick and senior defender Anthony Gattoni, who ended the game with 3:04 left in the third period — to secure their 11th victory of the season. 

Franklin allowed its first mercy of the season. The Patriots have lost by a shutout in four games this year, averaging 1.6 goals per game 

Coming into Saturday’s game against Brighton, Salem has outscored KLAA West opponents 20-1 in five games. 

Generaux said the mercy win against Franklin will provide the boost the Rocks need to be successful against the 9-4-1 Bulldogs. 

“It’s definitely a confidence booster, keeps us rolling into this weekend and more weekends to come,” Generaux said. 

Contact reporter Colin Gay at cgay@hometownlife.com or 248-330-6710. Follow him on Twitter @ColinGay17. Send game results and stats to Liv-Sports@hometownlife.com.