Story in Photos: 2023 Ice Hockey Semifinals

March 10, 2023

PLYMOUTH – This season’s MHSAA Hockey Finals will include a Division 1 rematch of last season’s deciding game, a Division 2 rematch of the 2021 finale and a Division 3 championship game guaranteed to produce a first-time title winner.

All three Finals are Saturday at Plymouth’s USA Hockey Arena:

Division 2 – 11 a.m. – Byron Center vs. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice
Division 3 – 3 p.m. – Flint Powers Catholic vs. East Grand Rapids
Division 1 – 7 p.m. – Detroit Catholic Central vs. Brighton

Hockey Weekly Action Photos captured plenty of action from the Semifinals – all photos and text below are by John Castine. Click for more as they are posted.

Evan Wohlart (8), who later scored the game winner in Brighton’s 4-3 triple-overtime win in Division 1 on Friday, has a shot blocked by Hartland goalie Colin Babcock.

Evan Wohlart (8), who later scored the game winner in Brighton’s 4-3 triple-overtime win in Division 1 on Friday, has a shot blocked by Hartland goalie Colin Babcock.

Detroit Catholic Central gets a breakaway goal from John Rocco despite being shorthanded two players on the way to a 2-0 Division 1 win Friday over Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central.

Detroit Catholic Central gets a breakaway goal from John Rocco despite being shorthanded two players on the way to a 2-0 Division 1 win Friday over Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central.

DCC goalie Kyle Moore makes a save during his shutout performance.

DCC goalie Kyle Moore makes a save during his shutout performance.

Byron Center goalie Carson MacKenzie turns away a shot during the second period against U-D Jesuit on Thursday.

Byron Center goalie Carson MacKenzie turns away a shot during the second period against U-D Jesuit on Thursday.

Byron Center players celebrate their 8-4 Division 2 Semifinal win Thursday over Detroit U-D Jesuit.

Byron Center players celebrate their 8-4 Division 2 Semifinal win over the Cubs.

Brother Rice’s Luke Sacca scores during the first minute of the third period of his team’s 11-3 win over Saginaw Heritage in Division 2.

Brother Rice’s Luke Sacca scores during the first minute of the third period of his team’s 11-3 win over Saginaw Heritage in Division 2.

Jack Cassidy (21) and teammate Peter Rosa celebrate Cassidy’s game-ending goal Thursday.

Jack Cassidy (21) and teammate Peter Rosa celebrate Cassidy’s game-ending goal Thursday.

East Grand Rapids' Charlie Hoekstra (16) fires the game-winning overtime goal with 1:11 left to play in the first extra period to give his team a 2-1 win over Houghton.

East Grand Rapids' Charlie Hoekstra (16) fires the game-winning overtime goal with 1:11 left to play in the first extra period to give his team a 2-1 win over Houghton.

EGR players rush to the glass in front of their fans Friday to celebrate the comeback win.

EGR players rush to the glass in front of their fans Friday to celebrate the comeback win.

Mason Czarnecki scores Flint Powers Catholic’s fifth goal of a 6-0 win Friday over Riverview Gabriel Richard in Division 3.

Mason Czarnecki scores Flint Powers Catholic’s fifth goal of a 6-0 win Friday over Riverview Gabriel Richard in Division 3.

Chargers goalie Nicholas Kurtiak makes one of 25 saves in his shutout performance.

Chargers goalie Nicholas Kurtiak makes one of 25 saves in his shutout performance.

TOP PHOTO Brighton’s Charlie Burchfield nearly flies over the goal after getting stopped during the third period of his team’s win over Hartland.

Be the Referee: Hockey Overtime

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator

March 7, 2023

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Hockey Overtime - Listen

There may be nothing more exciting than overtime hockey in the playoffs. So what happens in the MHSAA Ice Hockey Tournament when a winner cannot be determined after three periods?

If a game is tied at the end of regulation, sudden victory overtime is played for a maximum of four, 8-minute overtime periods. If someone scores a goal in one of those periods, they win – game over.

But if it’s still tied after four overtime periods, then the fifth overtime period and any additional overtime periods are played 4 on 4 until a winner is determined.

Let’s say a team starts the fifth OT with two players in the penalty box. Then that period will start 5 on 3 until the penalties expire. Then, at the first stoppage – teams revert to 4 on 4.

Previous Editions:

Feb. 28: Baker Bowling - Listen
Feb. 21: Ski Finish - Listen
Feb. 14: Swimming Touchpads - Listen
Feb. 7: In or Out-of-Bounds in Wrestling - Listen
Jan. 31: Over the Back - Listen
Jan. 24: Competitive Cheer Judges - Listen
Jan. 17: More Lines - Listen
Jan. 10: On the Line - Listen
Jan. 3: Basketball Measurements - Listen
Dec. 13: Pregame Dunks - Listen
Dec. 6: Gymnastics Judges - Listen
Nov. 22: Football Finals Replay - Listen
Nov. 15: Back Row Illegal Blocker - Listen
Nov. 8: Swim Turn Judges - Listen
Nov. 1: Soccer Referee Jersey Colors - Listen
Oct. 25: Cross Country Tie-Breaker - Listen
Oct. 18: Soccer Shootouts - Listen
Oct. 11: Safety in End ZoneListen
Oct. 4: Football Overtime Penalty - Listen
Sept. 27: Kickoff Goal - Listen
Sept. 20: Soccer Timing - Listen
Sept. 13: Volleyball Replays - Listen
Sept. 6: Switching Sides - Listen
Aug. 30: Play Clock - Listen
Aug. 23: Intentional Grounding Change
- Listen