The Chargers (19-4-1) faced the Midland Chemics (14-9) Wednesday night in the final SVL matchup to secure a share of the SVL crown. A game like most, where opponents bringing strong energy out of the gate trying to capitalize against the hottest D3 team in the state.

With a very slow start as the Chargers were not initially in sync, they were able to turn it around early into the 2nd period. But first with it 0-0 and seven minutes to go in the first period, the Midland forward dangled around the Charger defender flipping a backhand shot off the crossbar giving the Chemics their best scoring opportunity of the game.

The Chargers started the 2nd period on the powerplay but did not get one to fall. The first Charger score came at 13:14 when junior Cooper Gerhardt ripped a pass from Brendan Sly top shelf clinging of the back steel, opening the door for fellow Chargers. At 8:57, Brenden Tarpening notched his first of three on the night on a left side rebound putting the Chargers up by two. Less than a minute later, “Tarp” slithered in on a breakaway beating Chemics netminder Aiden O’Malley bagging his second goal of the evening. The momentum was too much for the Chemics as the Chargers found their groove and keep the lines rolling. Closing out the 2nd, sophomore Nolan Berner connected on a one touch slot pass from Trey Carlock to bump the lead to four.

Starting off the 3rd period, the Chargers not only expended the Melanich interference penalty but also capitalized shorthanded when senior Luke Cramer forced a turnover, dishing Mason Czarnecki as he hammered home his 16th goal on the season. With 1:39 remaining, probably a top 5 Charger play on the year came when Tarpening took control of the puck just before the Chemics blue line making a shifty move away from the defender, passing it over to Cramer, then Cramer unselfishly placing it back on Tarpening’s tape setting him up for the Hat Trick and his 10th goal on the season. Luke Cramer finished with three assists give him a “Playmaker”. Nick Kurtiak continued his strong play earning his 14th victory.

Final: Powers 6 Chemics 0

Last regular season game:

Friday, February 18th vs Livonia Stevenson, 6pm @ Flint Iceland Arena-Senior Night!!