The #2 ranked Rangers continued their bid for a state title as they faced off against the #1 ranked Flint Powers Catholic in front of a packed capacity crowd at The Summit in Lansing for the State Quarter Final. The Rangers path has been very challenging having to beat #10 ranked East Grand Rapids, Jackson Lumen Christi and last year’s State Runner-Up Grand Rapids Catholic Central in their regional bracket.
Flint Powers came in firing on all cylinders beating their opponents by a score of 25-0 in their three playoff games thus far. Powers scored the only goal of the 1st period after a tightly contested physical battle by both squads. Forest Hills Central would take the lead with two powerplay goals as Zak Currie and Mackey Withey would score within a couple minute span to take a 2-1 lead after 2-periods.
The Rangers would take a delay of game penalty with a couple of seconds left in the 2nd and Powers Catholic would capitalize and score early in the 3rd tying the game at 2-apiece. Forest Hills Central would be denied by the cross bar late in the game and Ranger netminder Carl Mielock would stop a breakaway with 3-minutes to go forcing the game into overtime.
Two years ago then sophomore Brendan Smith would score in overtime to beat the Rangers 3-2 sending Powers Catholic into the State Semis. Fast forward 2-years later Smith now a senior would once again find the back of the net beating Ranger Netminder Carl Mielock for a 3-2 Powers Catholic victory.
With the win Powers Catholic improves to 29-1. The Rangers coaches, families, school and community can be very proud of these young men as they came within one goal of moving on towards a state title; battling the best team in the state down to the wire.
The Rangers finished a fantastic season as Conference and Regional Champs and a 24-3-2 overall record.