The annual D3 Challenge at the Otsego County Sportsplex in Gaylord always seems to furnish some solid matchups. A great time of the year to get a better feel for what the Division 3 competition has in store. Flint Powers went 1-1 on the weekend bringing their D3 Challenge record to 26-10-2 (since 2004). Powers faced off against Grand Rapids Catholic Central (lost 3-1) and Riverview Gabriel Richard (won 5-2).

The first game slated for the Chargers on their two day trip was the Cougars from GRCC. The Cougars entered Friday's game 5-0 and Powers at 4-1 respectively. Powers won their last two meetings at this exact location with the most recent result last year 8-1. With each program representing a little different roster makeup, both displayed promise to cross paths come playoff time.

The Chargers saw themselves in an unfamiliar situation down two goals in the first period. The Chargers Brody Neelands was called for interference at 13:52 but the Chargers were able to prevent the Cougars from getting on the board. At 7:13, despite netminder Blake Zloto’s “hasek like play” sprawling around stopping back to back attempts, the Cougars persistence proved to be too much for the Chargers, capitalizing on the power play. Just before the horn, the Cougars’ Stevie Cattell forced a turnover on the Charger blue-line seizing the moment shorthanded (2-0).

After an unsuccessful Charger power play opportunity, the Cougars struck again increasing the spread by three goals. The Chargers elevated their physical play. Senior Tom Lavoie dispensed great forechecking and Andrew Burny strategically threw his body around. At 5:12, the Cougars were given a five-minute major. The Chargers sophomore Parker Bendall pounced on a loose puck near the crease, steering it past the Cougars senior goaltender Trent Goheen. Bendall’s goal was the only tally the Chargers could yield. Goheen’s pure dominance in net was no mistake as he leads all netminders in the state with .978 save % and goals against of .40.

Saturday morning the Chargers faced off against the Pioneers from Riverview-Gabriel Richard. It seemed like it was yesterday (March, 11, 2023) at the USA Hockey Arena, the Chargers defeated the Pioneers in the state semifinals 6-0.

At 15:56 of the first period, Junior Andrew Parmentier broke open the Charger scoring with a snipe left side of the net, as the rebound landed right on the tape of his stick. The boys came out buzzing as the coaching staff mixed up the line combinations. Midway through the period, the Chargers found themselves down 5 v 3 on the penalty kill as their undisciplined behavior started to mount. They were able to escape unscathed.

The Chargers kept their energy high entering the 2nd period. The Chargers netted three more before the Pioneers grabbed their first. Parmentier notched his second of the day on the power play similar to his first goal as the rebound “Gods” were in his favor. At 13:23, senior Nolan Berner also executed a generous rebound lifting the Chargers 3-0. Then Parmentier noticed the flying Caleb Doll, sent a dart up the middle hitting Doll in stride. Doll then sniped Pioneer netminder Connor Ptak for his 6th goal of the year. At 5:55, the Pioneers scored, finally taking advantage of one of their many power play opportunities. At 7:28 of the third period, the Pioneers found the back of the net for the second time cutting the lead in half. With under 5 minutes remaining, senior captain Brendan Sly closed out the contest with an upstairs snapper to make it 5-2.

Next game: Wednesday, Dec. 13th v Genesee Generals at 7pm-Dort Financial Center, Flint, MI.