sports BIRMINGHAM Goals & Glory ftP MARTIAL ARTS BIRMINGHAM #1 Kids Martial Arts Program Kids Karate NOW ENROLLING 2219 Cole Street Birmingam MI 48009 www.bmartialarts.com 248 646-6608 10,1330 DESIGNS IN DECORATOR WOOD & LAMINATES, LTD. It Doesn't Have To Cost A fortune.. Only Loo Like It! bathroom remodeling as well as furniture design and installations including granite, wood and other materials. Lois Haron Allied Member ASID 248.851.6989 REHAB SERVICES When you choose our center for your rehabilitation needs, you can take comfort in knowing that we'll be here for you every step of the way, for as long as you need us. of WEST BLOOMFIELD Our competent, caring staff is focused on providing comprehensive rehab services to our patients. Our rehab services include: State-of-the-Art Rehabilitation Gym & Hydrotherapy Pool • Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services Including: Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies • Orthopedic Rehabilitation • Stroke/Neurological Rehabilitation • Prosthetic Training • Treatment of Swallowing Difficulties • Back Injuries Rehabilitation • Physiatrist on Staff 6535 Drake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322 phone 248.592.2000 I www.cienafacilities.com CIENA Commo•:, 1077150 58 April 16 • 2015 JN Steve Stein Contributing Writer T he state champion Cranbrook- Kingswood High School hock- ey team had its own version of the Fab Five this season. Five Jewish players were on the Bloomfield Hills school's roster, three of them goalies. Senior defenseman Jack Blumberg and senior forward Blake Rogow were the skaters. The goalies were senior Spencer Applebaum and juniors Nolan Rogow (Blake's brother) and Stephen Friedland. Blumberg and Blake Rogow will be the topic of this sports column item. A later item will focus on the goalies. Applebaum was the Cranes' No. 1 guy between the pipes and Nolan Rogow and Friedland were two of his three backups. Cranbrook-Kingswood (25-2-4) was ranked No. 1 in Division 3 all year. Coach Andy Weidenbach's team lived up to the billing with an amazing post-season run that concluded with a 4-0 win over Houghton in the state title game last month at Compuware Arena in Plymouth. The Cranes outscored their six state tournament opponents 44 4 en route to their 17th Michigan High School Athletic Association state championship, the most of any team. Blumberg — a 6-foot-2-inch, 180-pounder from Franklin — had 31 points in 31 games (18 goals and 13 assists). Those are impressive offensive num- bers for a defenseman, but it's important to note that Blumberg switched to for- ward when the Cranes had a power play. Nine of his 18 goals and three assists came on the power play, where his job was to plant himself in front of the opposing goalie's net and make life mis- erable for him. "Jack was our version of Tomas Holmstrom," Weidenbach said, referenc- ing the former Detroit Red Wings star. "He's a gritty, tough, durable, reli- able, physical player who isn't afraid of the rough stuff in front of the net:' Weidenbach said. Blumberg also was a dependable penalty-killer. Speaking of penalty killing, that was Blake Rogow's specialty. The 5-7, 160- pound West Bloomfield resident was a big reason why Cranbrook-Kingswood opponents didn't have much success when they were on the power play. Weidenbach said Rogow was espe- cially good taking the correct angle on forechecks and blocking shots. "Timing is so important when you're blocking a shot, and Blake has good tim- ing," the coach said. "You don't want to go to the ice too soon:' Rogow found time when he wasn't killing penalties to score 10 goals and dish out 10 assists in 31 games. He was named one of the team's most improved players. Blumberg was selected to the Division 3 All-State First Team by the Michigan High School Hockey Coaches Association and Rogow was an All-State Second Team choice. Both also were named Academic All-State by the coaches asso- ciation. Cranbrook-Kingswood won the championship of the rugged Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League with a 10-1-1 record. Birmingham Brother Rice and Detroit Catholic Central, which finished second and third behind the Cranes, won MHSAA Division 2 and Division 1 state titles. Blumberg was named All-League and All-North Division and Rogow was selected to the All-North Division honor- able mention list. - Complete kitchen and NOTTING HILL I Play Ball! The Bloomfield Baseball League will open its season with a bang Sunday, April 19. A new family-oriented event will be held rain or shine 1:30-4:30 p.m. at Bloomfield Hills High School, formerly Lahser High School. Festivities will include a parade of teams at 1:30 p.m., Major League Baseball Hit, Pitch and Run competition for youths ages 7-14 as of July 17, high school drum- mers, cheerleaders and mascot, face painting, tattoos, petting zoo, pony rides, and firetruck and police car tours. Bloomfield Hills Schools Superintendent Rob Glass will toss a ceremonial first pitch at 2:30 p.m., before the Pinto, Bronco and Mustang division games are played. Team and individual photos will be taken. Event organizers say abundant parking will be available at the high school, but they suggest families arrive early, use carpools or park at the high school's ninth-grade campus at the for- mer Hickory Grove Elementary School, also on Lahser. Pets won't be allowed. For information, contact Tom Cooney at tcpennl@sbcglobal.net . ❑ Please send sports news to stevestein502004@yahoo.com .