The Reeths-Puffer hockey team did not win on Friday night, and its victory streak was halted at six games.
But the Rockets did not come away too disappointed following a 3-3 tie on the road with defending state champion Byron Center.
"We knew going in that it was going to be a dog fight," said R-P head coach Dustin Langlois. "This one has been circled on our calendar all year, playing the state champs in their building. We knew we had to be on our game and we played well.
"The boys really wanted a win, but from a coaching standpoint it’s another step in the right direction. We keep learning, growing and progressing. I couldn’t be more proud of this group of young men!”
Tyler Cuti, who scored one of R-P's three goals.
Tyler Tindall scored just 1:38 into the game to give R-P a promising 1-0 lead. Byron Center answered about 5 1/2 minutes later, and the game was tied 1-1 heading into the second period.
The Rockets pulled ahead less than a minute into the second with a goal from Tyler Cuti. The Bulldogs scored with about seven minutes left, leaving the score 2-2 at the second break.
Reeths-Puffer came very close to winning the game, following a goal by Hayden Taylor with about eight minutes left in the third period. But Byron Center pulled its goalie for an extra attacker in the final minutes and scored with 26 seconds left, forcing overtime.
Neither team found the net in the OT period and the game ended in the draw.
Huck VanDyke played well in goal for the Rockets.
Connor Anderson had two assists for R-P while Trenton Hanks and Eli Cuti each had one.
The Rockets, now 12-4-2 on the season, will host Caledonia on Saturday.