TROY, MI — Troy United faced a tough league matchup against Lakes Area United on home ice Saturday night, battling through a physical, high-tempo contest to secure a 4–2 victory. Captain Joey Clark (Troy High School) opened the scoring early, slipping a five-hole shot into the net off a setup from Alternate Captain Kai Ascencio (Athens High School). Lakes Area responded quickly to tie the game 1–1, then capitalized on a power play to take a 2–1 lead. Troy United answered in the final minutes of the first period when Ascencio buried a shorthanded breakaway, finishing a perfectly placed flip pass from Alternate Captain Ben Dumas (AHS) to even the score at 2–2. Ascencio struck again early in the second period, netting a feed from Clark to give TU a 3–2 advantage. The remainder of the period featured physical, end-to-end hockey, with both teams generating quality chances but the score holding through the second intermission. The third period saw the battle continue, with both squads trading penalties and offensive opportunities. Another strong defensive effort from Quentin Gatto (THS) and Aaron Stinson (THS) helped hold Lakes Area at bay, while both goaltenders delivered steady play to keep the game tight. Lakes Area pulled their goalie late for an extra attacker, but Senior Gavin Blaeske (AHS) sealed the victory by sailing a long shot into the empty net, securing the 4–2 final. Troy United will return to action over Thanksgiving weekend, taking on Lake Orion on Saturday, November 29 at the Detroit Skating Club at 6:00 pm. Story by: Jason Clark Photo credit: Shannon Blaeske