TRAVERSE CITY — It was a humbling experience for the Gaylord hockey team Wednesday night, as the Blue Devils fell 7-2 at Traverse City West.

Gaylord was riding high off a season-opening 4-0 victory against Alpena, but was heavily outplayed in the first and third periods, where the Devils were outscored 4-0.

West built a 2-0 lead on goals from Andy Bezotte and Vinnie Pietrangelo, before the Blue Devils closed within one midway through the second period wit a goal from senior Gavin Palm that was set up by senior Jeff Birk.

Bezotte netted his second goal to make it 3-1, before Gaylord again scored, with Birk netting a goal, with an assist to senior Kyle Eckert. But a couple of soft goals — one by Bezotte and one by Eric Rivard, put the game out of hand with a minute left in the second.

P.J. Dienes and Gabe Hisem added insurance goals for the Titans (2-1, 1-0 Big North Conference). Spencer Sonneveldt turned aside 21 shots to earn the victory in net.

For Gaylord (1-1, 1-1 BNC), senior goaltender Taylor Carey was peppered, as he came up with 39 saves. The Titans outshot Gaylord 35-9 in the first and third periods combined.

The Blue Devils will look to regroup this weekend with a home doubleheader against Traverse City Central Friday and Cheboygan Saturday.

Traverse City West 7, Gaylord 2

First Period: TCW Andy Bezotte (Eric Rivard, P.J. Dienes) 3:06; TCW: Vinnie Pietrangelo (Rivard) 5:36. Penalties: TCW: Jake Nickerson (highsticking).

Second Period: GHS Gavin Palm (Jeff Birk) 7:23; TCW: Bezotte (David Hanrahan, Rivard) 8:29 (pp); GHS: Birk (Kyle Eckert) 9:03; TCW: Rivard (Dienes, Bezotte) 14:22 (pp); TCW: Bezotte (Rivard, Hanrahan) 14:31. Penalties: GHS: Brennan Borowiak (hooking); GHS: Cody Richardson (crosschecking); TCW: Pietrangelo (tripping); GHS: Matt Zaremba (tripping).

Third Period: TCW: Dienes (Bezotte, Rivard) 0:21; TCW: Gabe Hisem (Shane Totten) 1:14. Penalties: TCW: Nate Allgaier (tripping); TCW: Chris Dienes (boarding); GHS: Palm (crosschecking).

Goaltenders: TCW: Spencer Sonneveldt (23 shots, 21 saves); GHS: Taylor Carey (46 shots, 39 saves).

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