News Photo by Chris Dobrowolski Alpena defenseman Greg Baranyai (27) splits two Milford defenders as he controls the puck during Friday’s season-opening hockey game during the Huron Shores Challenge at Northern Lights Arena.

By CHRIS DOBROWOLSKI News Sports Editor Fans, coaches and players for the Milford hockey team were breathing a sigh of relief Friday night. Clinging to a one-goal lead, the Mavericks held off an Alpena team with two extra skaters and a burning desire to knock in a game-tying goal in the furious final minute of a 2-1 win at the Huron Shores Challenge at Northern Lights Arena. The Wildcats (0-1) made it interesting as the clock ticked down by pulling goalie Alex Karsten, while already playing with a power play advantage after a high sticking penalty on Milford’s Matthew Luzenski. With that Alpena was able to go on the attack offensively, and got some good chances, but just couldn’t bury a goal. “In the last minute we gave it our all. It just didn’t happen for us,” said Alpena forward John Bracken. “We threw all we got at them.