Just when you think life's not fair, you're dealt another blow. It's hard not to shake your head when things go wrong. And I'm not even talking about anything personal.
When I caught wind of yet another tragic event happening over at Detroit Catholic Central, all I could think is, "Wow, really, something else?" On Friday, during an elite hockey tournament over at the Farmington Hills Ice Arena, Catholic Central senior Matt Sorisho was seriously injured when he collided, back-first, into the end boards during a game against a Chicago-based travel team. Sorisho, who was playing on an assembled "All-Star" team from the MDHL, skated in on goal – at full speed – when he was hit (cleanly) by a defenseman. He lost balance, spun around backwards, before making contact with the wall. He snapped a lower vertebra. 
It's every parent's worst nightmare, to see your child screaming in pain on the ice, after an incident like that. The Sorisho family has not had it easy this weekend. Matt underwent an extensive surgery to help correct the vertebra. He also endured a concussion with the initial collision, so he's been dealing with that as well. 
Our prayers here at The Oakland Press go out to the Sorishos, as well as the entire Catholic Central community. The Shamrocks have endured a lot over the past two years (The Cipriano tragedy, the sudden death of rising star David Widzinski). No school should ever have to deal with so much in such quick order. But, based on my experience working with the faculty, coaches and athletes over there, this is one school that has shown it can pull together - and pray together - to get through this type of adversity.
Here's wishing everyone well. We're thinking about you.

No year goes by without the emails, the phone calls, the chitter chatter on public online forums, from those stirring up the Public vs. Private debate. The public school supporters complaining of the advantages private schools have of being able to draw from a large pool of schools to put together a team, of which they must then play against once the state tournament rolls around.
And the privates having to fend off accusations that they "recruit" kids to come to their schools. They claim they're playing by the rules set forth by the MHSAA.
I get it from both sides. And I see valid points from both.
But in the end, it is what it is. The MHSAA deals with this issue in many, many sports. And there's no easy, cheap fix to the situation. To form a separate playoff system for private and public schools - the most favorable solution for the public-school backers - would personally disappoint this hockey writer.
If that were to happen, we wouldn't have a game such as the one we have on tap tonight at Compuware Arena. Novi and Novi Detroit Catholic Central are playing in a pre-regional final, a rematch of what I consider the "Game of the Year" in last year's playoffs. I know we've already had some great games this postseason, some of the best going into overtime or double OT. But last year's Novi-Catholic Central battle went into triple-OT before Novi's Michael Kruse ended it and springboarded the Wildcats to a Division 1 state championship. (CLICK HERE TO WATCH KRUSE'S GAME-WINNING GOAL)
It was a battle of the top-two teams in the division. It was a battle of two teams whose coaches are at the center of the public vs. private debate. It was the most anticipated game of last year's playoffs. And it did not disappoint.
But, if some coaches had their way, it may not have ever happened.
So let's enjoy these kinds of matchups when they happen. Catholic Central, ranked No. 1 again this year, is the favorite heading into tonight's game. The Wildcats are No. 5. Novi lost a lot of talent from last year's title team. But coach Todd Krygier has done a brilliant job this season and has his team playing some good hockey.
The Shamrocks have been No. 1 from Day 1 and coach Todd Johnson has his team playing determined hockey right now. I predicted CC to win this game a year ago. I was wrong.
This year I'm going with the Shamrocks again. Prediction: CATHOLIC CENTRAL 3, NOVI 1