The battle of the SVL Co-Champs took shape in the D3 district 19 regional finals March 2nd at Ferris State University. The Dow Chargers gave the Powers Chargers a fight like no other in recent memory. A game that went the distance to triple overtime, ending one of Flint Powers most balanced rosters in program history.

Both undefeated SVL squads brought pace, urgency and physicality. The initial ten minutes of the first period provided minimal scoring opportunities. At the 5:56 mark, Powers seniors Luke Cramer and Nolan Salayko connected with Brenden Tarpening as he notched the lone goal of the period.

Dow answered back when their senior forward Ryan Pomranky was left unattended, burying the rebound past Powers netminder Nick Kurtiak. At 9:02, it seemed Powers caught a huge break when Dow defenseman Reilly Wagner was removed from the game for kicking, resulting in a five-minute major. Powers attempted to take advantage of the 5v4 until their assistant captain Cramer was issued an interference penalty cancelling out the remaining two minutes of the major. During the 4v4, Powers junior netminder Kurtiak came up with a huge stop on Dows’ leading 30+ goal scorer senior Billy VanSumeren to keep the game knotted. At times throughout the evening, the Powers Chargers were challenged breaking out of their defense zone. Dows’ VanSumeren took advantage on one of the mishaps by Powers, with just over a minute left in the 2nd period, lifting the Dow Chargers up 2-1.

Powers continued their season long resiliency, as they responded with 10:13 remaining into the 3rd period. It was displayed when Powers’ Brendan Sly entered the left side of the Dow Chargers zone dishing a backhand over to Cooper Gerhardt entering the slot area, collecting it on his forehand then to his backhand deking goaltender Collin Lemanski. With the game notched at two apiece, and the 3rd period coming to a close, Powers’ Kurtiak prevented the dagger stoning Dows’ shooter VanSumeren short side sending them to sudden death.

With everyone on the edge of their seats not only in the arena but at home watching via the live stream, they definitely got their “monies worth” as pressure was immense, spilling over into overtime #1, #2 and finally into overtime #3. The Powers Chargers had multiple opportunities to put the game away with pucks hitting the post and a couple shots point blank. Late in the 3rd OT, a roughing penalty was called on Powers defenseman Reinig, putting their backs against the wall once again. This time it provided to be too much, as the Dow Chargers VanSumeren wristed the puck to the net and teammate Isaac Skinner redirected it past Kurtiak to become the district 19 regional champs for the 2nd time in the last three years. At the end of the day, both teams put it all out on the ice and that is all you can ask for.

The Powers Chargers high expectations weren’t quite met despite a fantastic 21-5-1 record against a very tough schedule. The camaraderie and brotherhood of this group of young men outweighs any one game or season. The leadership and mentorship of

the seven seniors: Nolan Salayko, Nate Murawski, Trey Carlock, Jacques Lavrack, Luke Cramer, Brenden Tarpening and Gunnar Birmingham will continue to pay dividends as this team continues their quest in the 22’-23’ season! Good luck boys!