By Teddy Rydquist
Leader Staff Writer

Their first action since prior to Thanksgiving, the Oxford-Avondale United hockey program welcomed in the undefeated Notre Dame Prep Fighting Irish to the Detroit Skating Club on Dec. 5.
Leading 2-0 in the second period, it looked as if OAU was going to break through for their first victory of the young season. Instead, the Irish reeled off four unanswered goals to prevail, 4-2.
Junior center Nate Poplars (Avondale) netted the first tally of the game at the 10:27 mark of the second period, assisted by junior winger Kyle Vogler and sophomore linemate Freddie Fresard.
Three minutes later, junior forward Jake Billis widened the margin to two goals off a nice pass from fellow junior Ethan Schneider (Avondale).
Drawing the start in net, junior Austin Spivey finished with 27 saves on 31 shots.
“We played well, had the lead going into the third period,” head coach Derek Billis summarized. “Made a couple of defensive errors, and they were able to capitalize.
“Had them on their toes, we were all over them early, but you make a mistake and they go right down and score and they’re right back in it.”
Building off the progress they showed against Notre Dame Prep, Billis’ team was able to record their first win of the season, a 3-0 triumph over Grand Blanc, on Dec. 7.
Blessed with a roster featuring a slew of young men whom lead by example, the head coach took an unconventional approach to handling his team’s captaincy.

“I didn’t name any assistants, I went with three co-captains,” Billis explained. “Defenseman Donovin Thompson (Avondale) is a senior and Jake (Billis’ son) and Poplars are juniors. The three of them have stood out and are on our top lines.
“Sophomore Ben Hepp leads us in points. Has five goals thus far and hit the post about eight times, too!”
Now standing at 1-3 on the campaign, OAU will hit the road for their first away game of the regular season against the Utica Chieftains at Fraser Hockeyland on Dec. 13 at 7:45 p.m.
The team will return home the following night, Dec. 14, to battle the Bloomfield Hills Black Hawks at 8 p.m.