Michigan Travelers 1 - Troy Sting 1 (12/3/2008)
The Big Two of the east battled to another tie in their opening round robin game of the Silver Sticks Regional at St. Clair Shores Arena. Josh (the Bull) Ybarra lit the lamp for MT midway through the second period before Troy Sting forward Samuel Clever tied the game for Troy with 4:59 left in the game. Mason Henige stopped twenty-two of twenty-three shots as the Sting grossly outshot the Travelers 23-5 for the contest. Despite managing just five shots for the contest against a powerful team like the Sting, MT still found a way to put them in position for the win, before settling for the tie.

The Travelers play the Livonia Knights in their next round robin game tomorrow. Good luck, boys.

Michigan Travelers 2 - Summit AA 4 (11/30/2008)
Our Michigan Travelers did everything they could in this weekend's championship game before bowing to the Summit Midget AA squad 4-2. Summit forward Joe Smereck tipped in a shot from the point with 1:17 left in the contest and Summit added an empty netter to pull out the win against the younger MT.

MT was led by Garrett (Homer) Briningstool with a goal and an assist. Jimmy Gaydos also scored and Jeff Ryan was superb under pressure, stopping 36 of 39 shots. Summit outshot MT 40-18 for the contest.

The turning point of the game occurred early in the third when Summit forward Nick Asaro flagged down a long pass to break in alone and tie the game, just eighteen seconds into the final stanza. The goal ended two periods of frustration for the Summit, who couldn't break the MT defense and goaltending. Summit kept the pressure on MT throughout the third and were finally rewarded with the tournament championship.

MT turns their attention to the Silver Sticks Regional at the St. Clair Shores Arena next week where they's see some old friends and play in their former home. They open up with a game against a team named the Troy Sting. Hide the women and children. This is gonna be fun.

Michigan Travelers 4 - Belle Tire AA 2 (11/29/2008)
The Michigan Travelers qualified for the final in the Midget AA Thanksgiving tournament at Great Lakes Sports Center with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Belle Tire AA. Clint Bess scores two goals, Matt Smartt had a goal and two assists, and Anthony Galloway scored the game winner for MT. Mason Henige turned aside 20 of 22 shots as the Travelers outshot BT 26-24 for the contest.

After a scoreless first period, Bess gave the Travelers a 2-0 lead with two goals twenty-four seconds apart midway through the second period. Galloway banged in a loose puck in a goal mouth scramble to give MT a 3-0 lead before BT forward Cody Longuski stuffed in his own rebound at the end of the middle stanza. Early in the third, Smartt picked up a loose puck in the BT zone and ripped a wrister in the short side corner to restore the Travelers' three goal lead. Belle Tire pulled back to within two goals with seven minutes left in the game, but Henige and the stout MT defense held the fort for the victory.

The Travelers get a rematch with the formidable Summit AA squad tomorrow in the tournament championship. Good luck, boys.

Michigan Travelers 1 - Summit AA 3 (11/28/2008)
The Michigan Travelers gave it the old college try but came up short against a stout Summit Midget AA squad, falling 3-1 in their second robin tournament game at Great Lakes Sports Center. Garrett Briningstool scored the load goal for the Travelers and Jeff Ryan played superb as MT outshot Summit 26-22 for the contest.

Summit jumped to a 2-0 lead with two goals in the first period before Briningstool brought MT to within a goal midway through the second period. But Summit forward Drew Parus scored on a breakaway just twenty-six seconds later to give Summit some much needed insurance. MT pressured Summit goalie Matt Vanlacken thoughout the third period, outshooting Summit 14-4 for the final stanza. Vanlacken was too good and MT had to settle for the moral victory of knowing they were able to skate with one of the best Midget AA teams in the state.

MT will next face a tough Belle Tire AA squad, the winner advancing to the tournament final on Sunday.

Michigan Travelers 6 - Grosse Pointe Wild-AA 1 (11/28/2008)
The Michigan Travelers had a successful start in the Thanksgiving Midget AA Tournament at Great Lakes Sports Center as they whalloped Grosse Pointe Wild AA 6-1. Matt Smartt led the way with a hat trick and an assist, and Clint Bess added a goal and two assists. Other MT goals were scored by Anthony Galloway and Justin Kammo. Mason Henige stopped 17 of 18 shots as the Travelers outshot the Wild 36-18 for the contest.

The Travelers continued to excel in short-handed situations as they allowed one goal in six penalty kills, and scored two short-handed goals themselves.

Smartt and Bess connected on a pretty give-and-go deep in the Wild zone just seventeen seconds into the contest as MT grabbed the early lead. Midway in the first, Smartt tipped in his second goal on a point shot from Matt Grassa and MT led 2-0. GP forward Dominic Cowart scored a power play goal late in the second period to give the Wild some life. But, MT scored three unanswered in the second to turn the game into a one-sided affair.

MT plays the mighty Summit Midget AA team in their next round robin game tonight at 9:25pm. They complete their round robin play tomorrow against Belle Tire Midget AA.

Michigan Travelers 4 - Garden City Goldwings 1 (11/24/2008)
The Michigan Travelers avenged an earlier defeat and evened their season series vs. the Garden City Goldwings as they defeated GC 4-1 in a game played at Great Lakes Sports Center. Clint Bess led the way with two goals and an assist, while Matt Smartt had two assists, David Champine had a goal and an assist, and Garrett Briningstool had a goal. Jeff Ryan returned to form with a 31 save effort as GC outshot MT 32-28 for the game. Kudos to the MT penaly killing units as they held the potent Garden City power play in check the whole game.

Garden City jumped to a 1-0 lead late in the first period only to be shutout for the remainder of the game. Bess scored on a power play 19 seconds into the second period and Briningstool converted a pretty two-on-one rush with Jimmy Gaydos to give MT the lead for good. Insurance goals from Bess and Champine in the third period completed the scoring.

The Travelers hold their breath as they take on some of the better Midget AA teams from the area in the Thanksgiving tournament at GLSC this weekend. It's on to the Silver Stick regional next week as the team formerly known as the Boys-from-the-Shores return to their own stomping ground at the St. Clair Shores Arena. Exciting times.

Michigan Travelers 8 - Michigan Jaguars 3 (11/19/2008)
The Michigan Travelers won their third straight LCAHL league games as they whalloped the Michigan Jaguars 8-3 at the Troy Sports Center. David Champine led the way with two goals, while MT got one goal each from Matt Smartt, Clint Bess, Matt Grassa, Josh Ybarra, Justin Kammo, and Kyle Evanko. Mason Henige stopped 21 of 24 shots as the Travelers outshot the Jaguars 31-24.

MT had the extra step from the very beginning, building a 4-0 lead after the first period, outshooting the Jags 9-4. The lead grew to an insurmountabole 7-1 with 3:20 left in the second and the Travelers cruised.

The Travelers next game is a league rematch with the Garden City Goldwings on Monday, November 24, 2008, at the Great Lakes Sports Center. That contest is followed by an appearance in the Thanksgiving Midget AA tournament at GLSC where MT will take on some of the better Midget AA squads from the Detroit area. Good luck boys and keep them heads up.

Michigan Travelers 4 - Rochester Rattlers 3 (11/16/08)
The Travelers evened their season series with the Rochester Rattlers with a 4-3 win in a game played at the Rochester Onyx. Defensemen Rodney Wynne and Matt Grazza gave MT a 2-0 lead until Rochester quickly tied the game with two goals forty-five seconds apart late in the second period. But Clint Bess gave the Travelers the lead for good with a goal with just fifteen seconds left in the middle stanza. Jimmy Gaydow scored the Travelers the insurance they needed, converting on a two-on-one with just under six minutes left in the game. Conner Salsberry scored his second goal of the game for RR with four-and-a-half minutes left, but the Rattlers could not get the equalizer. Jeff Ryan stopped twenty-three shots as the boys from Fraser outshot RR 30-26 for the contest.

The Travelers did what they set out to do this weekend. They got back on track with two wins and moved into second place in the highly competitive LCAHL Midget A Yzerman division. Their busy two week game schedule concludes with an LCAHL league game Wednesday against the Michigan Jags.

Michigan Travelers 4 - Michigan Stars 2 (11/15/08)
The Travelers' three game winless streak ended with a total effort as they defeated the Michigan Stars 4-2 in a game played at the Farmington Hills Ice Arena. Garret Briningstool led the way with a goal and assist. Josh Ybarra, Mattie Smartt and David Champine also scored for MT. Mason Henige had 21 saves as the Travelers outshot the Stars 38-23 for the game.

The Stars opened the scoring five minutes in the first period when Bret Shrader banged in a rebound. The Travelers responded with four straight goals and enjoyed a 4-1 lead and a 29-13 shot advantage after two period.

MT stays on the road for a game vs. the Rochester Rattlers, a team that beat them 4-3 last Saturday.

Michigan Travelers 3 - Garden City 4 (11/12/08)
Once again, the Travelers allowed their opponent to get the early jump as Garden City scored three first period goals and built a 4-1 lead midway through the second. MT got goals from Clint Bess, Justin Kammo, and Brandon Foglesong. Jeff Ryan took the loss in net.

The Travelers came back in the second half of the game, eventually outshooting the Goldwings 36-34 for the contest. But, as in the case against Rochester, it was too little, too late as they went down to their second defeat of the season.

Michigan Travelers 2 - Troy Sting 2 (11/09/08)
The Michigan Travelers and Troy Sting battled to a 2-2 tie in a fast paced LCAHL contest played at the Troy Sports Center. With just thirty-four seconds left in the game, Sting forward Jesse Peterson chipped in a back-door one-timer on a pretty pass from Eric Rotonja to allow Troy to avoid their second consecutive loss to the Travelers. The equalizer came when Troy pulled their goalie for a six-on-four advantage after a controversial tripping call with 1:45 left.

Justin Kammo and Rodney Wynne scored for the Travelers, while Peterson had both Sting goals. Mason Henige stopped 38 of 40 shots for MT as the Sting outshot the Travelers 40-18 for the contest.

Troy took a 1-0 lead with 2:02 left in the second on Peterson's first of two goals. Kammo tied the game early in the third period on a superb effort by Mattie Smartt who battled two Sting players in the corner before sending the puck to a wide open Kammo in from of the Sting net. Wynne gave the Travelers a 2-1 lead midway through the third period before Peterson's late-game heroics.

If the first two games are any indication, both squads can expect many more exciting, well-played contests before the season is over.

The Travelers LCAHL record now stands at 2-1-2, while their overall record sits at 12-1-4. MT will battle the Garden City Goldwings this Wednesday at 8:00pm at the Garden City Ice Arena in a LCAHL league game.

Michigan Travelers 3 - Rochester Rattlers 4 (11/08/08)
Whether it was looking forward to their big game the next day or the usual Saturday afternoon doldrums, the Michigan Travelers were beat by an inspired Rochester Rattlers squad 4-3 in a LCAHL league contest played at Great Lakes Sports Center. Rattlers' Michael Paraskevin assisted on his team's first three goals as Rochester built a 4-1 lead through the first half of the second period and hung on for the victory. Chris Gagleard got the win in net.

Clint Bess, Jimmy Gaydos, and Justin Kammo scored for the Travelers who outshot the Rattlers 24-17 for the game.

MT must rebound from this uninspired performance quickly as they face the mighty Troy Sting in a rematch at the Troy Sports Arena tomorrow.

Michigan Travelers 9 - Mt. Clemens Wolves 2 (11/05/08)
The Michigan Travelers warmed up for a big Little Caesars league weekend with a 9-2 thumping of the Mt. Clemens Wolves in a scrimmage game played at the Mt. Clemens Ice Arena. Jimmy Gaydos led the way with two goals while fourteen of the fifteen MT skaters picked up at least one point. Mason Henige stopped 21 of 23 shots and the Travelers peppered the Wolves' goalie tandem with 53 shots.

MT jumped on Mt. Clemens in the first period outshooting them 19-4 and out scoring them 5-0. It was 8-0 before the five minute mark of the second period and the route was on. Give the Wolves credit. Playing without three key players and down by eight goals, they fought back to make the rest of the game competitive.

The weekend contests include league games against the Rochester Rattlers on Saturday at Fraser and a rematch with the top ranked Troy Sting on Sunday at the Troy Sports Center.

Michigan Travelers 9 - Farmington Fire 1 (11/02/08)
Not much to say about this game. MT outscored the Fire 9-1 and outshot them 50-13 in a scrimmage game played at the Farmington Hills Ice Arena. Jeffy Ryan and Mason Henige combined for the win in net. David Champine led the way with two goals and three assists. Other Travelers' goal scorers were Clint Bess (two goals), Garrett Briningstool, Jimmy Gaydos, Justin Kammo, Mattie Smartt, and Josh Ybarra.

After their scrimmage game against the Mt. Clemens Wolves on Tuesday, 11/04/08, the Travelers will have six Little Caesar league games in just eleven days, starting Saturday, 11/8/08. Included is a much anticipated rematch with the Troy Sting on Sunday, 11/9/08, at Troy Sports Center.

Michigan Travelers 1 - Motor City Machine AAA 1 (11/01/08)
The Michigan Travelers and the Motor City Machine AAA skated to a 1-1 tie in a scrimmage game played at Great Lake Sports Center. Justin Kammo gave MT the 1-0 lead with an unassisted goal with 8:27 left in the second period. The Machine tied the game two and a half minutes into the third period on a slap shot goal from the point by defenseman K. Schoenherr, assisted by C. Ahlgren. Jeff Ryan stopped 20 of 21 shots for MT. MT outshot the Machine 29-21 for the game, holding the boys from Brownstown to just eight shots in the final two stanzas.

Michigan Travelers 3 - Troy Sting 1 (10/27/08)
Two big dogs from the east side squared off and it was the Michigan Travelers drawing first blood with a 3-1 victory over the Troy Sting at Great Lakes Sports Arena.

The Travelers got first period power play goals from defensemen Matt Grassa and Rodney Wynne and a third period insurance goal from leading scorer Mattie Smartt to offset a second period short-handed, breakaway tally by the Sting Eric Ritonja. Jeff Ryan was his usual stellar self in net stopping thirty-one shots as the Sting outshot the Travelers 32-17 for the contest.

MT had to overcome a Sting-dominated second period where they had only one shot on goal, and had to kill a two man disadvantage for over a minute and a five minute major in the latter part of the third period. Kudos to the Travelers' penalty killing that held the Sting scoreless on six power play opportunities, including the five minute major.

The MT team learned a couple things from this early contest. Special team play is very important, the Sting forwards are real fast and their forechecking is top rate, and as long as the MT defense and goaltending continue to be strong, they will be in every game. Congrats to the Travelers on the big win.

Michigan Travelers 3 - Bloom. Hills Gamblers (AA) 1 (10/19/08)
Well, the Michigan Travelers, formerly know as the Boys from the Shores, did it again as they captured their fifth straight out-of-town tournament with a 3-1 victory over the Bloomfield Hills Gamblers in the Applebee Cup Midget AA Tournament at St. Ignace, MI. Garrett Briningstool broke out of his mini-slump with two goals and Jimmy Gaydow capped off a productive tournament with a goal. Mason Henige backstopped MT to the victory, losing his shutout with a little over a minute left in the third period.

Henige and fellow netminder Jeff Ryan were named co-MVPs as they combined for 1.00 GAA for the tournament. Mattie Smartt led the team in scoring with six points (two goals and four assists). Right behind were fellow linemates Justin Kammo and Clint Bess with five points. Jimmy Gaydos, Garrett Briningstool and Timmy Beck each had two goals.

Michigan Travelers 4 - Marquette Legion (AA) 1 (10/18/08)
The Michigan Travelers finished their robin play in the Applebee Cup Midget AA Tournament undefeated by dumping the Marquette Legion 4-1 in a game played at the Little Bear East Arena in St. Ignace, MI late Saturday afternoon. MT got a goal and assist from David Champine, Mattie Smartt, and Justin Kammo. Clint Bess had two assists and Timmy Beck had one goal. Jeff Ryan got the victory in net. MT outshot the Legion 27-17 for the game.

MT advances to the championship against the Bloomfield Hills Gamblers, a team they defeated 3-0 in their first round robin game.

Michigan Travelers 3 - St. Ignace Firehawks (AA) 2 (10/18/08)
The Travelers remained undefeated in round robin play at the Applebee Cup Midget AA Tournament as the edged the St. Ignace Firehawks 3-2 Saturday afternoon in a game played in Mackinaw City Rink. Anthony Galloway tied the game at 1-1 for MT late in the first period. Justin Kammo scored two goals in the second period to give the Travelers a 3-1 lead that lasted until midway in the third period when the Firehawks' Chuck Russell pulled St. Ignace to within one with a short-handed tally. Mason Henige got the victory in net.

MT is one victory away from the championship game as they will oppose the Marquette Legion later tonight.

Michigan Travelers 3 - Bloom. Hills Gamblers (AA) 0 (10/17/08)
The Michigan Travelers opened their round robin play at the Applebee Cup Midget AA Tournament with a 3-0 victory over the Midget AA Bloomfield Hills Gamblers in a game played in the Little Bear East Arena in St. Ignace, MI. Clint Bess and Mattie Smartt had a goal and assist each and Jimmy Gaydos had one goal. Jeff Ryan was his usual stellar self in net as he registered his second shutout of the young season. The Travelers outshot the Gamblers 46-18 for the game, including a 38-14 edge in the final two periods.

One down and two to go to get to the finals.

Michigan Travelers 1 - Blue Water Phantoms 1 (10/15/08)
In their first true test of the young season, the Michigan Travelers skated to a 1-1 tie against the Blue Water Phantoms in a LCAHL league game played at the Glacier Pointe Ice Arena.

Mattie Smartt one-timed a pretty pass from Clint Bess to give MT a 1-0 lead five minutes into the second period. Blue Water forward Anthony Heppler tied the game early in the third period. Mason Henige backstopped the Travelers while Brandon Lahar was in net for the Phantoms.

The Travelers outshot the Phantoms 33-21 for the game but failed to capitalize on several good scoring opportunities.

MT's next action is this weekend in the Applebee's Cup Tournament at St. Ignace, MI in the Midget AA division. Should be fun.

Michigan Travelers 8 - Michigan Stars 1 (10/09/08)
The Michigan Travelers opened their Little Caesar regular season with a bang as they routed the Michigan Stars 8-1 in a game played at Great Lakes Sports City. David Champine and Garrett "Homer" Briningstool of the "Chippeway Line" led MT with two goals and two assists each. Other goal scorers included Clint Bess (two goals), Mattie Smartt, and Anthony Galloway. Justin Kammo chipped in with two assists. Jeff "Chubbs" Ryan stopped 27 of 28 shots and made a key save early in the second period to keep the score at 3-1. The MT skaters took it from there scoring twice in the second period and three times in the final stanza. Despite the lopsided score, the shots were even at 28 a piece.

Traveler scratches including Timmy Beck (serving the second game of a two game suspension) and Brandon Foglesong (sick).

MT has an interesting scrimmage game against the LaSalle, Windsor AAA squad scheduled for this Saturday, 10/11/08, at 2:55pm, in the GLSC Michigan Rink.

Michigan Travelers 4 - MT. Clemens Wolves 0 (10/06/08)
The Michigan Travelers blanked the Mt. Clemens Wolves 4-0 in a scrimmage game played at Great Lakes Sports City. David Champine scored twice and Mattie Smartt had two assists. Jimmy Gaydos and Anthony Galloway also scored as Jeff Ryan and Mason Henige combined for the shutout. The Travelers outshot the Wolves 43-25 for the contest.

The Travelers opened the scoring early in the first period on a goal by Champine. They increases their advantage to two goals with just 28 seconds left in the period when Jimmy stole the puck in the Wolves' zone and scored from his knees while being checked. The Travelers added two goals in the second period for the final margin.

MT was without forwards Timmy Beck and Brandon Foglesong who were serving game suspensions from the melee against the Michigan Ice Dogs last Thursday. Beck has one more game to serve.

The real season starts on Thursday, 10/9/08, as the Travelers open their Little Caesars league season with a home game at GLSC vs. the Michigan Stars. It will be the first meeting this year between the two teams.

Michigan Travelers 5 - Farmington Fire 1 (10/02/08)
The Michigan Travelers beat the Farmington Fire 5-1 in a penalty-filled game that ended with 6:43 left in the third. The Travelers dominated from start to finish, outshooting the Fire 40-10. Mattie Smartt led the charge with two goals and three assists. Justin Kammo scored twice and Clint Bess had one goal. Jeff Ryan was in goal.

The Travelers' next game will be this Monday, 10/6/08, at 8:25pm as they host the Mt. Clemens Wolves at GLSPC.

Michigan Travelers 4 - Michigan Ice Dogs 2 (9/25/08)
The Michigan Travelers broke open a scoreless game with four unanswered goals in the second period enroute to a 4-2 scrimmage victory over the Michigan Ice Dogs. David Champine led the way with two goals, while Jimmy Gaydos had two assists, and Josh Ybarra and Mattie Smartt had one goal a piece. The Travelers outshot the Ice Dogs 34-19 for the contest.

Michigan Travelers 2 - Michigan Jaguars 2 (9/20/08)
The Travelers couldn't close the deal as the Jags scored two goals in the last minute of a curfew-shortened scrimmage game. The Travelers dominated most of the contest as Clint Bess and Sal Pagano each scored to give the Travelers a 2-0 lead. But, the Jags tallied a short-handed goal with a minute left and got the equalizer with twenty seconds left on the curfew clock. The Travelers had the advantage in shots, 22-15.

The Travelers squandered several power play opportunies including two long five-on-three advantages in the latter stage of the first period and it came back to haunt them.

The Travelers' next scheduled game is a scrimmage at home in the return engagement of a home-and-home on Thursday, September 25, 2008.

Michigan Travelers 8 - Michigan Ice Dogs 1 (9/17/08)
The new and improved Michigan Travelers opened their 2008-2009 campaign with a bang as they blasted the Michigan Ice Dogs 8-1 in a game played Wednesday, September 17, 2008, at Wayne Ice Arena. What didn't change was the chemistry between Mattie Smartt and Clint Bess as they both had four points. Besides Bess's hat trick, Dave Champine had two goals, and Smartt, Justin Kammo, and Josh Ybarra had one goal each. Defensemen Chad Sills and Kyle Evanko had two assists each. Jeff "Chubbs" Ryan, playing on his 16th birthday, and Mason Henige backstopped the Travelers to victory. The Travelers outshot the Ice Dogs 35-17.

The most impressive part of the Travelers' game was the exceptional passing. Whether it be during a breakout in their end or in transition, the boys formerly from the Shores, dazzled the audience with their unselfishness and skill on the offensive end.

The Travelers' next game is at 2:55pm this Saturday, September 20, 2008, when they host the Michigan Jags at the Great Lakes Sports Center (Fraser) in the Michigan Rink. Keep up the good work, boys.