The Chargers (16-4) extended their winning streak to seven games defeating the Saginaw Heritage Hawks (11-8) in a midweek SVL match up. The two teams have a lot of history as many players have competed together and against each other through their early youth years. The Hawks came out wanting to steal the Flint-Saginaw rival bragging rights, looking to spoil the Chargers potential back-to-back Saginaw Valley league champion run next week. The Hawks came up a bit short and now the Chargers will travel to Midland to face both the Chemics and Dow Chargers.

Very physical play ensued right out of the gate as bodies were hitting the glass at both ends of the ice. At 14:56, it seemed like “Mr. Fast Flying” Michael Tucker shot himself out of a cannon skating around the Hawks defender putting the Chargers on the board first. Just over two minutes later, Hawks junior Joe Camp answered the bell edging by the Powers defender placing a backhand past Nick Kurtiak to even it up. Each squad had a powerplay opportunity prior to the conclusion of the first period but no such luck. Brenden Tarpening did not waste anytime into the second beating Hawks netminder Max Yaw short side on quick pass from Jacque Lavrack. Not until three minutes left in the period, Hawks Camp struck again snipping Kurtiak low blocker side for the equalizer. Seconds later, Chargers Lavrack countered on a solid dime from Cooper Gerhardt, netting his first of two on the evening to jump back in front to close out the second 3-2.

Powers wasn’t displaying their best grade of hockey as if they had appeared to come into the game with a little too much confidence. Just like most opponents in the state, the Hawks had a bullseye on the Chargers back. Much so, the Hawks Brett Wobio sent a quick wrister from the left face-off dot through traffic by Kurtiak to once again even the contest. As emotions escalated, Hawks Camp was sent to the box for a high stick to the Charger player’s head out of frustration. Chargers’ junior defenseman Kyle Barbour made them pay, one-timing a quick pass through the goal mouth from Lavrack, knocking it in for the 4-3 lead. With 12:09 remaining, a Chargers 3 on 1 presented itself consisting of Cramer, Tucker and Gunner Birmingham as the trailer, receiving the drop pass to blast home his first goal on of the season. At the 1:41 mark, Kurtiak appeared to be screened when Hawks Cole Winters shot from the high slot sailed the biscuit above his glove. The Chargers trend continued with another no hesitation response, when Lavrack finished off his 4-point night simply burying the Hawk turnover past Yaw to put the nail in the coffin.

Final: Powers 6 Hawks 4

Next Games:

Midland Dow, Feb 15th, Tuesday, 2pm @ Midland Civic Arena

Midland, Feb 16th, Wednesday, 7:15pm @ Midland Civic Arena