The annual D3 Challenge in Gaylord, MI December 9th & 10th did not disappoint. Many clubs from around the state took to the ice as early as 10am Friday and as late as 8pm Saturday. Specifically speaking, the Flint Powers Catholic Chargers met up with their west side competitor, the Grand Rapids Catholic Central Cougars noon on Friday. Their second game Saturday afternoon, the Chargers battle versed the Chelsea Bulldogs.

Friday v GRCC

In recent years, when Powers lined up across from GRCC you could always expect a hard-fought contest with much parity aside. Well, in 2022 it was no different until they reached the 2nd period.

Early in the 1st period, GRCC emotions got the better of sophomore defender Henry Kwiathkowski when he put Cooper Gerhardt into the boards from behind, resulting in a five-minute major. The Charger powerplay unit jumped on the opportunity when senior Weston Reinig received a high slot pass and went BAR DOWN with authority (assists Czarnecki/Sly). Then at the 7:25 mark, the Cougars junior Braylen Outwater got the equalizer when he capitalized on a neutral zone turnover making his way to the Charger zone placing it by Kurtiak.

The wind started to dissipate from the Cougars sail early in the 2nd period, when another powerplay goal was executed by Nolan Berner (assists Tucker/Doll). Nearly a minute later, Allstate/Team Michigan defender, Kyler Barbour went coast to coast juking a couple defenders and deking netminder Trent Goheen to lift the Chargers 3-1. Then being shorthanded, the tandem of Barbour/Tucker forecheck paid dividends as Tucker earned his second of the game (assist Barbour).

Uncharacteristically, the GRCC Cougars mainsail was damaged. At 15:20, Matt Lavoie scored from the corner banging it off Goheen, notching is first varsity goal (assists Reinig/Barbour). Tucker then netted his 2nd goal of afternoon on the grinding of AP and Sly behind the goal who got the helpers. The Chargers made it 7-1 when Reinig also grabbed his 2nd goal of the contest. Closing out the blowout, brother Tom Lavoie also earned his first varsity goal placing the icing on the cake. Netminder Nicholas Kurtiak’s consistent play earned him his 4th win. Netminder Blake Zloto seen his first varsity action in the 3rd period.

Powers: 8 GRCC: 1

Saturday v Chelsea

The Chargers continued their strong weekend performance scoring three consecutive goals before the Bulldogs found the back of the net. With a little juggling of lines to generate even more offensive power, the Chargers answered the call. Jack Dawley hit Brendan Sly skating through the neutral zone who empowered himself taking it directly to the house, slipping it by Bulldog netminder Luke Webster.

At the 12:00 mark, Chelsea took a tripping penalty, 2 of 7 on the afternoon. Kyle Barbour’s heads up play teed up the Chargers 2-0 lead, when he hit Nolan Berner on a stretch diagonal pass who finished it off. The Charger goaltender Peyton Lenger stood strong in his 2nd start of the season. Lenger’s first breakaway nullification came in the remaining five minutes of the first period.

Just past the mid-point of the 2nd period, assist leader (11) Mason Czarnecki displayed unselfish play on a 2v1 dishing the puck over to goal leader (5) Weston Reinig to lift the Chargers up 3-0. The Charger pressure and buzz persisted into the 3rd period.

The Bulldogs finally lit the scoreboard with a 30-degree angle shot from the right circle by Devin McIntyre. But not before Lenger turned away two immense breakaways in the final then minutes of the 3rd period, giving him his second win. The Chargers record improves to 6-1.

Powers: 3 Chelsea: 1

Next game: Wednesday, Dec 14th 5:30p @ Jackson Lumen Christi - Optimist Ice Arena