There was a high concentration of anticipation leading into the Regional Finals, showcasing two of the top ten programs in the state. A game that would award the winning team a chance at extending their season. One more potential opportunity for the senior class to edge closer to lacing up their skates with their brotherhood of teammates.

The last meeting on Jan. 26th this year, the Eaglets from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s faced off against the Chargers from Flint Powers Catholic in the Flint barn. The Eaglet’s emerged victorious in a 5-4 overtime thriller.

A little different story transpired down in Chelsea at the Arctic Coliseum the second time around. Pretty much since the drop of the puck, the Eaglet’s owned the Chargers. The Eaglet intensity was unmatched in the first period. At the 14:55 mark, the Eaglet’s capitalized on the Chargers, who struggled to generate a clean breakout. The Eaglet fierce pressure compromised any and all Charger strategy to control possession which resulted in the Eaglet’s notching two goals in the first five minutes of the game. A Charger power-play ensued with 3:27 left in the first but was ineffective getting organized.

Powers exhausted an Eaglet power-play early in the second period. With two more power-play opportunities handed to the Chargers, they unfortunately came up short and dug a deeper hole giving up a shorthanded goal (3-0).

Orchard Lake snuck in a quick one by netminder Blake Zloto to increase the Charger deficit 4-0 despite Powers renewed 3rd period energy. Shortly after the Eaglet goal, Brendan Sly nearly lit the lamp with a clanger off the crossbar. A minute later, sophomore Parker Bendall scored, snapping the Eaglet’s shutout (4-1). Then, at 7:43, with the Chargers on another powerplay, Sly recorded his 27th goal of his senior season campaign, sniping the Eaglet’s netminder from the high slot to bring the Chargers within two (assist Nolan Berner). At 1:45, the Eaglet’s stamped their ticket, advancing to the state quarterfinals to take on last year’s D3 runner up East Grand Rapids.

Final: Powers 2 Orchard Lake 5

Chargers finish the season with 19 wins 8 losses.

Good Luck to the 2024 senior class Dru Wendlend, Blake Zloto, Tom Lavoie, Matt Lavoie, Nolan Berner, Alex Rinoldo, Caleb Doll, Mike Wenzel and Brendan Sly!