Chargers Make Statement in MIHL Showcase 2022

The #1 D3 Flint Powers Chargers squared up against some very talented teams in #2 D3 Warren De La Salle Pilots and the #4 D2 Birmingham Brother Rice Warriors this past weekend at the MIHL Showcase in Trenton, MI. The MIHL Showcase is the annual premier high school hockey event other than the state tournament which captures the top 10 teams in each division, in addition to welcoming a handful of teams resulting in a thorough 36 team selection process. A phenomenal opportunity for all teams and players to receive unparallel exposure to many junior scouts and colleges at a singular high school event. Each game provided its own playoff like atmosphere reflecting two of the best games in the showcase.

Friday: De La Salle

Both the Pilots and Chargers demonstrated a clean fast-paced game strategically putting each other on their heels. It wasn’t until the 11:32 mark of the first period when senior Jacob Lawrence was left unattended in front of Chargers Nick Kurtiak, hammering home the dish from teammate Seaton Heilman to put the Pilots up 1-0.

Just two minutes into the 2nd, the Pilots were called for cross checking serving up the Chargers with their first powerplay of the game. The Pilots locked down the Chargers to keep the one goal lead until the 11:14 mark. That is when Michael Tucker countered back receiving a bounce pass off the boards from Brendan Sly, sending a shot to the net banging it off the Pilots defender knotting it up 1-1. With the great forechecking by the Powers forwards Brenden Tarpening and Trey Carlock, they were successful in making the Pilots defenseman cough up the puck capitalizing on the turnover to put the Chargers up 2-1. The Pilots weren’t finished quite yet as Heilman made his way to the slot firing two quick shots on Kurtiak before knocking in his own rebound to even it up two apiece.

Early into the 3rd, Chargers Luke Cramer took a cross checking penalty giving the Pilots their first powerplay opportunity but again were denied by the season long dominance of the Charger penalty kill. Just under ten minutes remaining, the Pilots were called for a tripping penalty. The Chargers Jacque Lavrack made the most of it by burying his 8th goal of the season beating netminder Andrew Parmentier on a high slot rebound taken by Mason Czarnecki. At 3:47, a dangerous Pilot point blank shot completely robbed by the glove of Kurtiak “Patrick Roy” style, giving Flint Powers two consecutive colossal wins against top 5 teams within the last week.

Total shots: Powers 27 De La Salle 29

Final: Powers 3 De La Salle 2

Saturday: Brother Rice

Unlike the start from the Friday afternoon game, the Chargers came out quick with the first score when Mason Czarnecki stole the puck near center ice flying into the Warrior zone beating goaltender Brady Ingram less than two minutes into the contest. Despite the quick goal, the first period resulted in some very sloppy play as both teams were sizing each other up. The Warriors took the first penalty of the game as the Chargers were only able to muster one shot.

Early into the 2nd period, the Chargers tried to capitalize being shorthanded on Luke Cramer’s hooking penalty when Czarnecki snuck in on a breakaway but denied by Ingram. At the 12:11 mark, the Chargers stole the lead when Brendan Sly picked up the puck behind the Warrior net patiently flipping a backhand pass over to Cooper Gerhardt for the one-time blast making it 2-0. The last three minutes of the period were complete domination by the Chargers placing immense pressure on Ingram.

The intense battle continued into the 3rd with the Warriors senior Luke Washe skating “Dylan Larkin” like around the Charger defenseman snipping the left corner past Kurtiak. It wasn’t until 3:24 remaining when the Warriors picked up the equalizer getting a fortunate bounce in front of the net. The Warrior D man junior captain Luke DuCharme let one rip from the point hitting the Charger D man’s shin pad and into the Charger net. With the game tied at two, Jacque Lavrack’s aggressive forechecking caused the Warrior defenseman to fan on the puck going straight to his tape. Lavrack did not disappoint notching his 9th goal of the season, sending Powers home with two tough wins for their storied program. Kurtiak’s strong performance earned him his 12th win. Powers is now 16-4 on the season.

Total shots: Powers 27 Brother Rice 27

Final: Powers 3 Brother Rice 2

Next games:

Saginaw Heritage, Wednesday, Feb 9th, 6p @ Iceland arena

Lapeer, Friday, Feb 11th, 4p @ Iceland arena