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.
Moment: Nordstrom Sends Hancock to Final
May 22, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Alex Nordstrom had quite a hockey season during the winter of 2015-16, and put a giant exclamation point on the end with his performance during Finals weekend at USA Hockey Arena.
He’d finish his freshman campaign with 33 goals and 26 assists, including a pair of goals in Hancock’s 4-2 Division 3 Final win over Grand Rapids Catholic Central. But arguably the biggest goal of all came a day earlier.
Nordstrom’s backhand into the next 6:51 into overtime on March 11, 2016, gave Hancock a 2-1 Semifinal win over Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood and sent the Bulldogs to Saturday’s championship game. The title would be the program’s first since 1999.
Click for coverage of the Semifinal from State Champs Sports Network and watch the game winner below from the NFHS Network.