News Photo by James Andersen
Members of the Alpena High School hockey team including Garrett Hamp (3), Cam Young (19) and Trent Fraser (13) celebrate Hamp’s first period goal against Sault Ste. Marie on Friday at Northern Lights Arena. Hamp’s goal gave Alpena a 2-0 lead.
ALPENA — Over the last month and a half, the Alpena hockey team has brushed aside all challenges or obstacles thrown its way.
As a result, the Wildcats (18-2) have turned heads in the state, moved up the state’s hockey rankings, and won 14 games in a row.
The Wildcats will get another chance to prove how good they are this weekend when they play in the MIHL Showcase in Trenton.
Alpena plays Trenton on Friday evening and plays University Liggett on Saturday morning.
Both matchups will showcase some of the state’s best teams. Friday’s Division 2 matchup pits the No. 2 Wildcats against the No. 6 Trojans (12-6) and Saturday’s game matches the Wildcats against University Liggett (11-7) — the ninth-ranked team in Division 3.
“It’s definitely special to play in this tournament,” Alpena coach Ben Henry said. “It’s nice to get some recognition and we’ve been turning some heads. This team has been up to the task and the kids want to prove to everybody they’re the real deal.”
Alpena also played in the MIHL Showcase during the 2018-19 season, collecting wins over Flint Powers and Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
That team entered the tournament with plenty of talent and in the midst of a winning streak. This year’s Alpena has done the same thing and continues to play its best hockey as the postseason draws closer.
Alpena has yet to lose in 2023 and has allowed just three goals in its last nine games. What’s more, the Wildcats are currently riding a four-game shutout streak and haven’t allowed a goal since the first period of a Jan. 14 game against Saginaw Heritage.
While the Wildcats’ offense has made scoring goals look easy, Alpena’s defense and goaltending has been just as dominant.
Goaltenders Aidan Schultz and Jon Rensberry have combined for 10 shutouts this season and have been solid, even in games when they haven’t been tested much.
Henry credited their work with goalie coach Taylor Carey with keeping them in tip-top form.
In 15 games, Schultz has six shutouts, a 1.35 goals-against average and a save percentage of ,922. Rensberry has four shutouts in five games with a 0.97 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage.
“Schultzie and Jonny have played solid,” Henry said. “They’re locked in and they do their job, no matter how many shots they face.”
In front of them, the Wildcats’ defense has been every bit as good as Alpena’s offense. With a talented mix of returning veterans and varsity newcomers, the defense has been up to the task of shutting down opponents’ top lines.
“They take pride in keeping top lines off the board,” Henry said. “The defense has been pretty sound and they understand what their jobs are. We don’t have flash defense, but they keep it simple, move the puck up to the forwards, and let them do their job.”
After this weekend road trip, Alpena returns home next week to host Traverse City West. Alpena wraps up the regular season the week after with a road game against Cadillac and a home contest against Traverse City Central.
Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox
