Story in Photos: 2024 Ice Hockey Semifinals

March 8, 2024

PLYMOUTH – The 2023-24 hockey season will conclude Saturday with a pair of championship matchups that followed the final coaches association rankings, and for the second straight season a Division 3 matchup that defies them.

Division 2 will start Saturday’s MHSAA Finals at 11 a.m. with top-ranked Byron Center facing No. 2 Trenton. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood will give the Division 3 Final an unranked contender for the second straight season, as the Cranes face No. 3 East Grand Rapids at 3 p.m. The Division 1 Final will feature top-ranked Detroit Catholic Central vs. No. 2 Brighton for the third straight season, with the puck dropping at 7 p.m. to finish the day at Plymouth’s USA Hockey Arena.

Hockey Weekly Action Photos captured plenty of action from the Semifinals – all photos below are by John Castine.

Detroit Catholic Central’s Cael Rogowski (8) sends a shot during his team’s Semifinal win over Muskegon Reeths-Puffer. Rogowski scored during the second period of the 8-0 victory.

Detroit Catholic Central’s Cael Rogowski (8) sends a shot during his team’s Semifinal win over Muskegon Reeths-Puffer. Rogowski scored during the second period of the 8-0 victory.

Brighton’s Cameron Duffany (16) leads a rush up the ice during his team’s overtime 4-3 Semifinal win over Clarkston. He scored the game’s first goal and added a second during the second period.

Brighton’s Cameron Duffany (16) leads a rush up the ice during his team’s overtime 4-3 Semifinal win over Clarkston. He scored the game’s first goal and added a second during the second period.

The Bulldogs’ Lane Petit (22) and Clarkston’s Trey Damian (23) work for position. Petit’s goal gave Brighton a 2-0 lead early in the second period.

The Bulldogs’ Lane Petit (22) and Clarkston’s Trey Damian (23) work for position. Petit’s goal gave Brighton a 2-0 lead early in the second period.

Byron Center’s Collin Storey (22) rockets a shot during his team’s 6-2 Division 2 Semifinal win over Saginaw Heritage. He assisted on the game’s first goal.

Byron Center’s Collin Storey (22) rockets a shot during his team’s 6-2 Division 2 Semifinal win over Saginaw Heritage. He assisted on the game’s first goal.

Kasey Brehm (21) retains control of the puck; he scored a second-period goal.

Kasey Brehm (21) retains control of the puck; he scored a second-period goal.

Trenton’s Liam Summitt (4) considers his options during his team’s 5-0 Division 2 Semifinal win over White Lake Lakeland. Summitt had two assists.

Trenton’s Liam Summitt (4) considers his options during his team’s 5-0 Division 2 Semifinal win over White Lake Lakeland. Summitt had two assists.

The Trojans’ Jayden Jones (15) and Eagles’ Joe Sesi (24) get tangled up. Jones scored the game’s first goal and added a second during the third period.

The Trojans’ Jayden Jones (15) and Eagles’ Joe Sesi (24) get tangled up. Jones scored the game’s first goal and added a second during the third period.

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook goalie Garrett Dudlar covers the left side of the goal with a loose puck in front of the crease. Dudlar had 35 saves in the Cranes 5-0 Semifinal win over Houghton.

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook goalie Garrett Dudlar covers the left side of the goal with a loose puck in front of the crease. Dudlar had 35 saves in the Cranes 5-0 Semifinal win over Houghton.

Cranes senior Michael Horton (13) and Houghton junior Jace DeForge pursue a loose puck. Horton had a goal and an assist.

Cranes senior Michael Horton (13) and Houghton junior Jace DeForge pursue a loose puck. Horton had a goal and an assist.

East Grand Rapids senior Ian MacKeigan charges toward the puck during his team’s 3-0 win over Traverse Bay Reps as the Pioneers earned their second-straight championship game berth.

East Grand Rapids senior Ian MacKeigan charges toward the puck during his team’s 3-0 win over Traverse Bay Reps as the Pioneers earned their second-straight championship game berth.

Pioneers senior Glenn Green (8) and Bay Reps senior Larson Millar work to gain possession.

Pioneers senior Glenn Green (8) and Bay Reps senior Larson Millar work to gain possession.

TOP PHOTO Detroit Catholic Central’s Joshua Granowicz (14) and Muskegon Reeths-Puffer’s Eli Cuti (17) await a faceoff during their Division 1 Semifinal on March 8 at USA Hockey Arena.

Be the Referee: Puck on Goal Netting

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator

December 9, 2025

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 – Puck on Goal Netting - Listen

We’re on the ice today, where after being last touched by Team A, the puck comes to rest on top of the goal netting. What happens?

New this year in high school ice hockey: If a puck is on the top of the goal netting, it’s an immediate stoppage. The puck is considered out of play.

It goes back into play via a faceoff from the nearest faceoff dot in the defending team’s zone.

Why the change from previous years? Because a puck on top of the netting creates too many problematic scenarios to be considered playable – you could have high sticking, closed hand (handling of the puck), goalkeeper contact or player-in-the-goal-crease.

If the puck is on top of the goal netting, blow the whistle and resume with a faceoff.

Previous 2025-26 editions

Dec. 2: Goaltending vs. Basket Interference - Listen
Nov. 25: Football Finals Instant Replay - Listen
Nov. 18: Volleyball Libero Uniforms - Listen
Nov. 11: Illegal Substitution/Participation - Listen
Nov. 4: Losing a Shoe - Listen
Oct. 28: Unusual Soccer Goals - Listen
Oct. 21: Field Hockey Penalty Stroke - Listen
Oct. 14: Tennis Double Hit - Listen
Oct. 7: Safety in Football - Listen
Sept. 30: Field Hockey Substitution - Listen
Sept 23: Multiple Contacts in Volleyball - Listen
Sept. 16: Soccer Penalty Kick - Listen
Sept. 9: Forward Fumble - Listen
Sept. 2: Field Hockey Basics - Listen
Aug. 26: Golf Ball Bounces Out - Listen

PHOTO Marquette's Skyler Blackburn and Negaunee goalie Kurt O'Brien scramble for the puck during a Nov. 8 matchup. (Photo by Randy Ritari.)