The Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern/Eastern boys hockey team scored three third-period goals to claim a 4-1 win over Portage Central in Thursday's Division 2 regional semifinal matchup at Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo.

Forest Hills senior right wing Chase Lebster tallied two goals and two assists, including the go-ahead goal early in the third.

"Chase has been doing this the whole season, and he just stepped up when we needed it," Forest Hills coach Tom Bissett said. "He's doing what a senior leader should do -- lead the team when we need him the most.

"Once we got some momentum to end the second, we came out in the third and continued to pour it on.

"I'm proud that our guys continued to work hard and capitalize on our chances."

Derek Hesse gave Portage Central a 1-0 lead in the first period on a pass from Davin Renda, and the Mustangs held that advantage until late in the second period, when Forest Hills' Nathan Nickelson knotted the game at 1.

"Overall, our guys competed really hard tonight," Portage Central coach Brian Bellware said. "They had several great opportunities throughout the game, but there were just a couple breakdowns in the third that cost us."

Trey Dyer added the fourth goal for Forest Hills, and Ty Kitchen made 22 saves.

Portage Central goalie Alex Hufford was peppered with 53 shots, but the senior first-year starter stood tall and kept his team in the game.

Despite registering more than twice as many shots as Portage Central, Forest Hills trailed for the majority of the game.

"The coaches were staying positive and trying to get bodies in front of the net, and it was just a matter of getting pressure and having our second guys drive the net and get rebounds," Bissett said.

Forest Hills (15-11-1) advances to play Mona Shores in Saturday's regional final at Southside Arena.

"Mona Shores is a very good team and has been for a long time," Bissett said. "It'll be a good test for us to play solid defense and capitalize on our chances.

"We have some guys that can score goals, but we just have to be patient."

Portage Central finishes its season at 11-15, and the Mustangs graduate five seniors, inlcuding Hufford, Hesse and captain Renda.

"In my opinion, he's a complete player and impactful on both ends of the ice," Bellware said of Renda. "He was the heart and soul of our team.

"Everyday in practice and in games, he competed as hard as he could. He had a positive impact on the underclassmen, and they're going to grow into good leaders because of him."