A highly anticipated SVL showdown between both undefeated Midland Dow Chargers and Flint Powers Chargers in league play ended in a stalemate Tuesday afternoon. A defining winner will have to wait for a couple weeks until regional play. If both teams win their final league matchups, they will share as co-champs of the Saginaw Valley League conference. Dow, including a 50-point leader and high concentration of upperclassmen consisting of 14 seniors, it seems to be their year to make a deep playoff run. However, they will first need to diffuse one of the top scoring offenses (Powers) in the state, netting 108 goals with eight players securing 20+ points apiece.

The first period of play stood flat as neither team was connecting their passes or putting much pressure on opposing goaltenders. The highlight of the period came at the 14:08 mark, when Powers Mason Czarnecki buried a pass between the hash marks from Trey Carlock. A minute later, Powers went on the powerplay and came up short. Following, the Dow Chargers were awarded their first powerplay opportunity at the 14:23 mark of the 2nd period, when Powers received a “too many men” penalty that they killed off. As each team looked to locate their mojo, neither were able to assemble any real threating scoring opportunities. At 11:10 of the 3rd period, Dow was issued a tripping penalty that Powers could not take advantage of. The Dow Chargers luck turned when junior Issac Skinner “lit the lamp” taking the dime from Reilly Wagoner, winding up 15 feet from Powers Kurtiak beating him over the shoulder to even it up 1-1. With just 30 seconds left in the game, Powers Carlock attempted to steal the lead ringing the biscuit of the left post. A flurry of action arose in the last few minutes in the 5 v 5 overtime format when Gerhardt, Sly and Lavrack each had quality scoring chances. The goaltending was very strong at both ends of the ice as Powers Kurtiak turned away Dows top 30 goal scorer Billy VanSumeren 9 feet from the net. Total shots: Powers 22 Dow 20

Final: Powers 1 Midland Dow 1

Next SVL game: Midland, Wednesday, Feb 16th, 7:15p @ Midland Civic Arena