News Photo by James Andersen Members of the Alpena High hockey team celebrate after Anden Marceau scored the Wildcats’ first goal of the season, just 22 seconds into the first period on Friday at Northern Lights Arena. Marceau had a hat trick and Harrison Kaszubowski had two goals in a 5-3 Alpena win over Hancock.

ALPENA — The Alpena High Wildcats got off to a great start to its season on Friday, after they defeated a very talented Hancock team. The Wildcats took down the Bulldogs in a back-and-forth game that consisted of many lead changes with a final score of 5-3.

Alpena is 1-0 to begin the season and hopes to ride that momentum throughout the remainder of the season.

“Hancock is a very good team to start the season off with,” Alpena coach Ben Henry said. “Looking down the road our schedule is just going to get harder and harder as the season goes on. I think we have to keep pushing ourselves day by day, then the goals and wins will come with it.”

Not only did the Wildcats get off to a great start to the season, but they got off to an even better start to the game. Just 22 seconds into the game, Anden Marceau scored his first goal this season. The goal was assisted by a spectacular pass from Reid Meinhardt, which put Alpena up 1-0 early.

Hancock fired right back with a goal of its own which was scored with 12:14 left in the first period. Sam Roberts got credit for the goal after the assist came from Benett Sturos.

Nearing the end of the first period, Easton Schultz received a costly penalty, setting up the power play for the Bulldogs. Bryce Hanner capitalized on the opportunity, scoring his first goal of the game.

Hanner’s goal came with 3:39 left and gave Hancock the 2-1 lead over the Wildcats.

With all the momentum towards Hanock, Alpena answered back when Marceau scored a last-minute goal with only 50 seconds remaining on the clock. Marceau’s goal was assisted by Harrison Kaszubowski and tied up the game at 2-2.

Entering the second period Alpena got itself in a tough situation. With around nine minutes left in the period, the Wildcats got two penalties against Jack Steinke and Kaszubowski. Alpena’s defense rose to the challenge in the 5-on-3 situation and the game remained tied.

After a defensive second period, going into the third both sides needed to gain momentum to break the tie. Less than five minutes into the third period, Hancock took the 3-2 lead. Hanner scored his second goal of the game at a crucial moment.

The Wildcats were not fazed after going down a goal toward the end of the game. Kaszubowski took full advantage of the power-play opportunity and scored a goal with 11:20 left in the game.

Even after tying the game at 3-3, Kaszubowski wasn’t done yet.

Just 14 seconds later he scored again. Kaszubowski’s goals came at the perfect time and even gave the Wildcats the lead for the first time since the start of the game.

Marceau completed the hat trick as well after Hancock left a wide-open net with 26 seconds left in the game. The Wildcats completed the comeback win with a final score of 5-3.

“There was ups and downs for sure,” Henry said. “I thought we didn’t give up and we worked hard the entire time. We battled back after being down by a goal and came back to win it from some great plays by some great players.”

Alpena faces off against Sault Ste. Marie on Friday.