Kicking of the weekend was East Grand Rapids (8-6) forging their way to Flint Iceland arena to take on Flint Powers Catholic (10-4). Each team’s leading scorer with 9 goals apiece in Pioneers Tyler Sikkenga and Chargers Mason Czarnecki. Powers coming off a respective three-game skid this past week squaring up against Michigan and Ohio’s Top 5 teams (#1 Detroit Catholic Central, #2 St Ignatious, #5 Upper Arlington).

Powers Czarnecki steered the team out of their three-game skid with netting his first hat trick of the year on a powerplay snipe assisted by Cooper Gerhardt at the 11-minute mark of the first period. Less than a minute later, Gerhardt scored one of his own beating Pioneers junior netminder Hudson Bardeggia, with the helpers coming from Brendan Sly and Jacque Lavrack. Closing the period, the Chargers successfully executed their 2nd powerplay opportunity on a circling dish from Kyle Barbour to Czarnecki for the one timer blast.

Early into the second, the Chargers horsepower continued to leave behind the Pioneers when Sly buried a hash mark wrister from Gerhardt’s no look backhand dime from the far boards, making it 4-0. Striking again moments later was Chargers Michael Tucker, banging home Luke Cramer’s laser pass, crashing the net “textbook” style. The Charger penalty kill was at it’s finest nullifying all three of East Grand Rapids powerplay chances. With a minute left in the 2nd, the 6ft 2” 195lber Czarnecki made no mistake knocking home the loose puck securing his 3rd goal of the night and team leading 12th on the season.

The 3rd period reflected much of the same dominance by the Chargers as Nolan Burner made it 7-0 on the helpers from Trey Carlock and Nolan Salayko. Nick Kurtiak did secure the win between the pipes but not without a last-minute breakdown by the Charger defense, leaving alone Pioneers top scorer Tyler Siddkenga to steal the goose egg with his 10th of the season.

Final: Powers 7 East Grand Rapids 1

Next Game: Detroit Country Day, Saturday, January 22, 3pm@ Flint Iceland arena