Finals to Continue at USA Hockey Arena
July 12, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The MHSAA Ice Hockey Semifinals and Finals will continue to be played at USA Hockey Arena through at least 2022 thanks to a five-year extension confirmed today.
The arena, in Plymouth, has hosted the season’s championship weekend since 2003. The Semifinals and Finals will be played this upcoming season March 8-10, 2018.
"The MHSAA is excited to continue our longstanding partnership with USA Hockey Arena on keeping the MHSAA High School Hockey Championships in Plymouth," MHSAA assistant director Cody Inglis said. "We are happy to keep the Finals in a great venue that has been updated to a first-class arena facility by USA Hockey. The familiarity and geography of USA Hockey Arena to high school hockey fans and the dedicated USA Hockey Arena staff that have embraced the MHSAA to make this tournament special for student-athletes across the state encouraged us to extend our agreement."
USA Hockey Arena is a multi-purpose arena that opened in 1996. Originally known as the Compuware Sports Arena, it was renamed USA Hockey Arena in 2015 when the USA Hockey Foundation purchased it. USA Hockey Arena encompasses approximately 190,000 square feet with one main seating level, private suites and press boxes. The creative design of the arena affords the opportunity to provide 3,504 seats for hockey games and 4,500 seats for concerts and other performances.
"We are ecstatic to extend our relationship with the MHSAA," USA Hockey Arena general manager Mike Henry said. "We have enjoyed hosting the top high school hockey teams in the state for the past 15 years and look forward to helping create more memorable hockey history in the future."
PHOTO: USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth has hosted the MHSAA Finals for 15 years and has signed on to do so through 2022.
Moment: Calumet Reigns as Ice King
March 30, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
More than 50 shots had been fired on goal through three periods of the Division 3 Hockey Final on March 8, 2008. But none had found the back of the net as Flint Powers Catholic and Calumet headed into overtime at Compuware Sports Arena.
To that point, Powers had outshot the Copper Kings 31-20 as the Chargers sought their first MHSAA Finals championship in this sport. But Calumet turned the tables in the extra period, outshooting Powers 5-1 and burying the game’s lone goal when Logan Rastello scored unassisted 4:18 into extra time.
For the game, Tyler Junttila made 32 saves for the Copper Kings, who locked up the sixth championship in program history.
Said Rastello after to the Flint Journal: “I just shot at the net, went and got the rebound and buried it five-hole," Rastello said. "That was a great win. I don't know how to describe it. I'm shaking.”
Click to read coverage from the Flint Journal – Powers Catholic’s hockey title dream ends with OT loss to Calumet in final – and see below for the deciding goal and celebration with coverage from the NFHS Network.