FRUITPORT TWP. - Jordan Benkert has suddenly emerged as an offensive force for the Reeths-Puffer hockey team.
Nobody outside of the team would have guessed that was coming, based on his stats last season.
As a sophomore, Benkert totaled six goals and four assists in the 2024-25 season – nice numbers, but certainly not among the best on the team.
But Benkert has broken out in a big way this winter, scoring a team leading six goals through just eight games, including a three-goal hat trick on Friday in R-P’s impressive 8-2 victory over Grand Haven at Lakeshore Sports Centre.
Jordan Benkert (4), who scored a natural hat trick in the win. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Not only did Benkert collect his first high school hat trick, but it was a very rare “natural hat trick,” which means he scored all three of his goals in order, with nobody from either team scoring in between.
He did it in the second period, with back-to-back-to-back goals with 9:40, 7:34 and 4:18 remaining in the period. His sudden explosion took the Rockets from a three-goal lead to a six goal lead, and the outcome of the game was never in doubt after that.
The funny part is that Benkert did not know he had a natural hat trick until after the game, when his uncle informed him.
“I thought somebody else had scored in between,” Benkert said. “We scored so many goals tonight. I found out after the game. I was like, ‘Really?’ That was quite a shocker.”
R-P's Eli Cuti with the puck behind the goal. Photo/Jeremy Clark
R-P head coach Bill Zalba said Benkert is having success because he’s willing to do the dirty work on the ice, battling for the puck in the corners and in front of the net.
“Jordan has been a kid who has done everything we’ve asked,” Zalba said. “He’s one of the hardest workers on the ice, every single night.
“For some kids, it’s just a matter of timing. Last year he didn’t play as much, he’s in a totally different role this year, and he’s playing with a lot of confidence and poise.”
Friday’s victory was the third in a row for the suddenly surging Rockets, who started the year on shaky ground with a 1-3-1 record. They are now 4-3-1 with a 1-1 mark in the O-K Conference Fisher Division.
Hayden Taylor (18) battles for the puck along the boards. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Grand Haven fell to 3-2.
Before the season started, Coach Zalba said it might take time for his team to click, but when it did, it would be pretty good.
On Friday he said there’s more improving to do, but the Rockets are well on their way.
“It takes time for players to find their niche and learn where they fit in,” Zalba said. “We are starting to find where our pieces fit. We’re not there yet. We have a long way to go, but we’re moving in the right direction. We're coming together at a team.
“We’re going to be a tough team to play against. In the last four games, the guys have really started to hit their stride. They are starting to believe in one another and what we have as a team.”
R-P's Connor Anderson (3). Photo/Jeremy Clark
R-P’s Tyler Cuti opened the scoring with a goal with 5:03 left in the first period. His brother Eli Cuti followed a little over two minutes later, and the Rockets led 2-0 at the first break.
The Rockets took control in the second period with five unanswered goals.
Connor Anderson struck first, with less than a minute gone in the period, then Benkert followed with his flurry of three goals in a little over five minutes.
R-P’s Owen Silvis added a goal with just under three minutes left in the period, and the Rockets led 7-0 after two.
R-P's Kaeden Benner (10). Photo/Jeremy Clark
Grand Haven broke the shutout with a goal by Rian Bates about seven minutes into the third period. Silvis scored again with 8:58 remaining, then Bates topped things off with his second goal with 3:43 left in the game.
Eight different Rockets had assists, with Tyler Cuti and Eli Cuti leading the way with two apiece.
R-P goalie Bear VanDyke turned in a strong performance, stopping 26 of 28 shots. Overall the Rockets had a 34-28 advantage in shots on goal.
“Our message to the players tonight was to go out there and outwork them, and we set the tone right from the drop of the puck and sustained that the entire game,” Zalba said.
The Rockets will compete in the two-day Bay City Showcase next weekend.