By BUTCH HARMON
When it came to exciting postseason runs this winter, few teams could match the excitement that the Powers Catholic hockey provided its fans.
In a bid to return to the Division 3 state final for the first time since the 2010 season, the Chargers put on a dramatic postseason run for their loyal fans.
The run ended with a double-overtime loss to Sault Ste. Marie in the Division 3 state semifinals. In a game that went back and forth throughout, the Soo scored a goal in the second overtime session to edge the Chargers 4-3.
Both teams scored a goal in each of the three periods of the game and the score was tied at the end of all three periods and the first overtime session before the eventual game-winner in the second overtime.
To reach the state semifinals, the Chargers needed to win a double-overtime game of their own when they defeated East Grand Rapids 2-1 in a defensive struggle in Lansing in the state quarterfinal round.
That quarterfinal game appeared headed for a shootout before Derek Simon scored a goal off an assist from Connor Jaggi with 1:15 remaining in the second overtime session.
“It was a great back-and-forth game,” Powers coach Travis Perry said. “Both teams played hard, and it was too bad a team had to lose. We were in that situation the past few years losing to Grand Rapids Catholic Central in the quarterfinals, and this time we made it out.”
Defense played a big role in the Crusaders’ march to the state semifinals. Senior goalkeeper Casey Korhonen turned in a number of big efforts between the pipes for the team, including in the quarterfinal against East Grand Rapids in which he allowed just one goal.
“Our defense has been outstanding all year,” Perry said. “Casey had nine shutouts this year, and he allowed something like 1.45 goals per game. We were definitely a defensive-oriented team, and there was no question we had a terrific goalie. Offensively, we scored by committee, with a number of guys capable of scoring goals.”
Winning close games was nothing new for Powers Catholic, as the Chargers won a number of close games enroute to posting a 22-6-1 record this season.
“Of our six losses, five were one-goal games and four were in overtime,” Perry said. “We were right there in every game this season. It was a good year for us.”
While the Chargers fell a couple wins short of their goal of becoming the first high school from Genesee County to win a state hockey title, the season was still a success.
“I can’t say enough about these guys,” Perry said.