Photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV
By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Jackson — The goal is a simple one.
The path to it, anything but.
It’s been a winter to remember for the Lumen Christi hockey team, one that included a solid regular season, and so far, a perfect 2-0 mark in the Division 3 playoffs.
And now, on a Saturday night from the Southside Ice Arena in Byron Center, the Titans face their toughest foe of the season, so far, with the greatest reward on the line.
So far.
“That team is deep and fast. They’re the real deal,” Lumen coach Mike Wartella said of Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, the opponent in the 7 p.m. regional final. “They have 14 seniors on the roster. “It’s going to be a great task to go up against them. They have an impressive record and are ranked No. 2 in Division 3 for a reason.”
Forest Hills comes into the game with a 23-2-2 record and is fresh off a 4-3 overtime victory against Grand Rapids Catholic Central in the regional semi.
GRCC reached last year’s state final.
Forest Hills defeated East Grand Rapids 9-1 in the opener and has now scored 115 goals this season while allowing just 54.
“We have the type of team that can skate with them,” Wartella said. “It will come down to minimizing mistakes and getting good goaltending.”
Lumen (21-6-0) is in the regional final for the first time since 2011, defeating Okemos 5-2 in the semifinal and Mattawan 6-1 in an opener.
“We’ve used team speed and a good forecheck,” Wartella said of the first two playoff games. “Once we’ve gotten the puck in the zone, we’ve made it tough for the other teams to break out. That will be key in this one, because they have some good defensemen. We can’t get caught deep because they have guys who can get it out and get behind us.”
Brogan Sullivan, now 13-2-0 on the year, will have to be at the top of his game in net for Lumen.
The defense will have to lock down, and the offense must take advantage of any opportunities.
If all that happens, and the Titans get a bounce or two to go their way, this is a team that would be one win from reaching the state semifinals.
“It’s exciting right now,” Wartella said. “As you get rolling in the playoffs, there’s a different feel to every game. It’s one and done now, and to take on a top-notch team like this is exciting. If we find a way to win, it’s a huge accomplishment. The boys are excited for the opportunity.”
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports.
He’s also a Real Estate agent with Real Estate One, specializing with buyers and sellers throughout Michigan, from the Jackson area to metro Detroit. You can reach him at mmoore@realestateone.com or by calling (313) 770-6365 with any inquiries.