MUSKEGON - After having a great season last year and reaching the state semifinals, the Reeths-Puffer hockey team has a target on its back.
Every opponent – particularly local rivals – are going to give everything they have when they play the Rockets.
That was certainly true for Grand Haven, which came into Saturday’s game against Reeths-Puffer with a less-than-great 1-3 record. That didn't stop the Buccaneers from giving the Rockets fits, however, particularly when they took a 2-1 lead early in the third period.
But the Rockets seem to have the firepower to answer most challenges, and they did it against the Bucs, exploding for four goals down the stretch to claim a 5-2 victory at Trinity Health Arena.
Reeths-Puffer improved to 3-1 on the young season.
R-P's Kaidyn Hill looks for a pass. Photo/Joe Lane
“I mean, it was a tight game, and in a crosstown rivalry like that, they are always going to give you everything they have, every time,” said R-P head coach Dustin Langlois. “We made a few mistakes and they capitalized on them.
“But that was our strength last year, We came from behind in a lot of games. We are a third period team most of the time. I was just telling the boys in the locker room, when they come to my funeral when I’m 55, it will be because of all the stress they put on me in these tight games.”
Two of the goals during the third period explosion came from R-P co-captain Eli Cuti, who specializes in assists, but certainly can put the puck in the net when he needs to.
His first goal, which tied the game at 2-2, came on a shot from the point during an R-P power play, about 2 ½ minutes into the third period.
Cuti also scored what turned out to be the game-winner with 6:10 left on the clock.
R-P's Hunter Fritz plays the puck off the boards. Photo/Joe Lane
The other stars of the game were Ayden Hartzell, who had two goals and an assist; Connor Anderson, who had three assists; and Bucky Aney and Gavin Pastotnik with two assists apiece.
Cuti said he was extra motivated to turn things around after Grand Haven gained its brief lead.
“We know a lot of (the Grand Haven players), and I wasn’t very happy,” Cuti said. “I took it to heart. But I knew we were going to battle back. Our team has always battled back.
“I was feeling pretty hot and I wanted it very badly.”
Langlois was not surprised that Cuti came through when it mattered the most.
R-P's Ayden Hartzell rips a shot. Photo/Joe Lane
“He’s just consistent and his hockey IQ is unbelievable,” the coach said. “Him and Tyler Tindall and Hayden Taylor, that line always shines when things get tough, and they got a little tough today.
“(Cuti) is probably averaging two or three points per game. If he keeps up that pace he’s going to be unreal.”
While Grand Haven played hard and provided good competition, the Rockets contributed to the closeness of the game with four penalties that resulted in Buccaneer power plays, all in the first two periods.
Grand Haven scored on two of those opportunities to take its brief lead.
Penalties have not been a big problem for R-P, like they were at times last year, but they certainly made the Rockets’ job more difficult on Saturday.
R-P's Eli Cuti unleashes a shot from the circle. Photo/Joe Lane
“There were a couple of soft penalties I didn’t really agree with, but the boys have to stay out of the box, and when we do have penalties they have to kill them off so we can play 5-on-5 hockey," Langlois said.
The first period was scoreless most of the way, until Hartzell popped in a rebound from in front of the Grand Haven net, giving R-P a l-0 lead at the first break.
Pastotnik and Aney assisted on the goal.
Grand Haven tied the game when CJ Henke scored an unassisted goal on a power play with 3:19 remaining in the second period.
The Buccaneers went on the power play again as the second period expired, and had 1:34 left in the one-man advantage headed into the third.
They cashed in again when Keaton Poel scored with a shot from the left circle, giving Grand Haven a short-lived 2-1 lead.
Fritz battles for the puck in the corner. Photo/Joe Lane
Then the Rockets went to work, overwhelming the Bucs with four goals in the final 14:36 of the game.
Cuti’s two goals, with 14:36 and 6:10 left on the clock, gave R-P the lead for good,
His first goal was assisted by Anderson and Hartzell, while his second was assisted by Kaeden Benner.
Hartzell scored his second goal of the game with 5:15 left, with assists from Anderson and Aney, making the score 4-2.
Trenton Hanks wrapped up the scoring for the Rockets with a goal with 1:14 remaining. He was assisted by Anderson and Pastotnik.
The Rockets had a 23-17 advantage in shots on goal. R-P goalie Huck VanDyke stopped 15 shots to claim the win in net.
Reeths-Puffer will host Forest Hills Central at Trinity Health Arena on Wednesday night.