Jackson Lumen Christi Titans (19-4-1) and the Flint Powers Catholic Chargers (18-7) squared off at the Arctic Coliseum in a regional (22) semi-final classic for the ages Saturday evening.

The Titans goaltender Zach Jaakkola has nearly reigned at the top of the mountain within tendies. Jaakkola has recorded 19 wins and a save % off the charts at .944, stopping 789 of 836 shots during the regular season. The Chargers senior Blake Zloto has performed at a very respectable clip himself with 15 wins, a .916 save %, stopping 457 of 499 shots, counting last night’s performance.

The high intensity and stakes of these caliber of playoff games usually take place in the later rounds. However, Region 22 is one of the toughest in the state and was displayed through 2 ½ hours of regulation/overtime play by the Chargers and Titans. The game prior to the Powers/Lumen contest resembled similar results, with Orchard Lake knocking off Western Pickney 4-3 going down to the end of the wire.

The Chargers took ownership of the scoreboard at the 5:02 mark of the first period, when captain Brendan Sly received a dime from Parker Bendall. Sly was alone in the slot and simply buried it bar down over the left shoulder of netminder Jaakkola. Ironically, in 2021 Sly scored his first high school goal against Lumen Christi. Within 12 seconds later, senior Calb Doll made an unselfish play dishing to Sly (2) through the goal mouth, beating Jaakkola far side. Up 2-0, the Chargers were granted a power play opportunity to increase the deficit by three. The Chargers formulated some decent puck movement and organization but got nothing to fall.

The second period was quickly owned by the Titans seniors Daniel Brady (1g) Jake King (2g). They picked up three consecutive goals, stealing the lead, until Sly (3) redirected the shot from the point by teammate Andrew Parmentier. Despite 4 goals being scored amongst the two teams, both netminders were making back to back saves keeping the contest tight.

Much of the third period and into overtime was a continued battle of the young men between the pipes. Each squad kept it scoreless demonstrating stout penalty kill units. The Chargers smooth flying Berner and shifty Doll had nice strikes at Jaakkola late in OT but the wall didn’t crack. It wasn’t until the 3rd overtime, when the Chargers sophomore “sniper” Ayden Cook, hit his biggest target of his short high school career, sniping the upper 90, advancing the Chargers to the regional finals.

The Chargers end result embodied strong play from the entire team. With Andrew Burny and Dru Wendlend out, increased roles were embraced by Andon Harwood, Gavin Vorwerk, Michael Wenzel and the Lavoie brothers.

Blake Zloto made 42 saves and recorded his 15 win of the season. Powers improved to 19-7.

Powers: 4 Lumen: 3 (3 OT)