With the continual lack of student athletes to satisfy many high school hockey teams, the solution has leaned toward the unified approach. This trend has not only been visible in Genesee County but across the entire state of Michigan. The most recent team to unify locally consists of Swartz Creek, Flushing, Goodrich and Davison called the Genesee Generals.

Even with the luxury of combining bodies from four different schools, the newly formed Generals were no match for the #2 ranked D3 Flint Powers Chargers this past Wednesday. The Chargers extended their winning streak to six consecutive since losing to the #1 ranked D2 Byron Center Bulldogs in early December. The first shift of the game set the tone of the game when senior Mason Czarnecki scored but was called off to a dislodged net. Czarnecki came right back on the powerplay, notching his first of four goals, a first for the 3-time letterman. Next, senior Michael Tucker notched his six goal on the year to close out the first period with a backhand past Generals netminder Cole Ashley. The Czarnecki show continued early into the second period with his 2nd of the night, strong arming it from the slot to lift the Chargers 3-0. Less than two minutes later, Greg Feamster fed Caleb Doll, who let one rip just inside the blueline finding it’s way to the back of the net. The Charger speed and pace of play was simply too much for the Genesee Generals. At the 5:36 mark, Czarnecki compiled his 3rd of the night, sniping a pass from Kyle Barbour to lower left corner of the Generals netminder. Then, two beauties followed each other to give the Chargers # 6 and 7 of the evening. The first came shorthanded on a neutral zone reception by Nolan Berner from Weston Reinig. Berner’s smooth, economical stride took him by the only defender, leaving him 1 on 1 with the goaltender, stealthy sliding it into his five hole. Moments later, Barbour nearly carbon copied a prior dazzling sequence from earlier in the season going end to end of the ice, toe dragging the Generals defender, flipping the puck over the netminder’s shoulder. Closing out the mercy was guess who? Yep, Czarnecki secured his 4 goal and 21st point on the season assisted by Gerhardt and Sly.

Junior netminder Blake Zloto earned his first varsity start securing the shutout. The Chargers improve their record to 9-1.

Next game: Saturday, Jan 7th, 2pm v University Liggett at Flint Iceland arena.