It was just over nine months ago that Flint Powers (6-2) and East Grand Rapids (8-3) dueled it out in the D3 state finals at USA hockey arena in Plymouth, MI. A day (March 11th, 2023) each fan base and program remembered for different reasons.

Last night in the home rink of EGR, the Chargers were tested as memories from last year’s story book ending was just that a memory. With a packed house at Patterson Ice Center, the EGR student section was in full effect as if there was a title on the line. The environment was nothing short of playoff type vibes.

Early in the first period, the Chargers netminder Blake Zloto came up big with an aggressive poke check and blocker side save to keep it netted at zeros. With 1:54 remaining, EGR took the lead with a one-timer out front at short range.

The Chargers stepped into two power play opportunities within the first ten minutes of the second period but were blanked by EGR’s’ goaltender Joe Green. The physicality of both teams was on display each and every shift. The Charger senior Tom Lavoie made his presence known again on the forechecking front as well as with his tenacious backchecking. At 5:09, Zloto served up another fantastic save, shutting down an EGR 3 on 2. The Chargers jumped on the board at 4:11, when junior Andrew Parmentier put away the right side rebound (assists: Haley/Neelands). Then with just over a minute, EGR struck back two consecutive goals to finish off the second period 3-1.

The Chargers came out flying to start the third period. At 10:38, the speedy sophomore Aydn Cook capitalized on netminder Green, after receiving a patient pass from senior linemate Brendan Sly to pull the Chargers within one.

EGR furnished answers every time the Chargers started to creep closer. The state final runner-ups appeared to exploit the Chargers mistakes in jubilation. They made it known each time they lit the lamp. At 10:23, a charger mis-dangled outside of his blue line and #16 Charlie Hoekstra made them pay going upstairs on Zloto. EGR prevailed to be too much for defending state champs, closing out the contest with a power play goal at 3:48 to make it 5-2.

Final: Powers 2 EGR 5

Next game: Saturday, Dec. 23rd v Fenton/Linden, 6pm at Flint Iceland arena (Youth Night!)