MHSAA hockey: Cranbrook outlasts East Grand Rapids, 3-2, in triple OT for Div. 3 crown

It truly was the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat late Saturday afternoon in the Division 3 boys hockey state final at Plymouth’s USA Hockey Arena.

In the second-longest championship game in MHSAA history, defenseman David Schmitt’s goal with 4:26 left in the third overtime gave Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood a dramatic 3-2 victory over East Grand Rapids.

Rento Saijo assisted on the game-winner for the Cranes, who also seized their state-record 18th crown in school history.

“My coaches kept telling me just get pucks out quick on net and see what happens,” Schmitt said. “I did it, saw a lane, shot it and it just went in. My mind just went blank and I said, ‘Did I just do that? So, it was pretty crazy."

Not to be outdone was Cranbrook’s 6-foot-4, 185-pound senior goalie Garrett Dudlar, who stood tall throughout the nearly 72 minutes of action making a total of 53 saves, second most in finals history.

The junior seemed to thrive on the pressure and relied on his faith to pull him throughout the marathon contest.

“As the game went along, I definitely felt like I got better,” Dudlar said. “Starting out I was a little shaky, but as the game really went on. Every time after every whistle I was praying to God to help me out between periods, I was never stopping and relying on Him and he really pulled through for me. Had a great game and there’s no way I could have done it without Him."

Cranbrook (16-13-1) last won a state title in 2021, while EGR (24-6) was seeking its first after finishing runner-up to Flint Powers a year ago and in 2002.

For the Pioneers, it was a tough exit after losing the 2023 championship game on a goal during the final seconds to fall, 3-2.

“We gave it all we had there, but obviously we couldn’t score, that was the difference maker,” EGR sixth-year coach Christopher Newton said. “They set really high goals and it was a goal to get here and win. We came up just short. We set out to do all the things we wanted to do – the Final Four, win our regional, win our league, win 20 games. ... been in a lot of great games and I’m really proud of them.”

In the third period and the teams tied, 2-2, EGR was unable to convert on successive power play chances.

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The Pioneers had a pair of chances to score with 7:31 and 6:33 remaining, respectively, as Dudlar denied J.T. LaMange from point-blank range followed by the Cranbrook netminder covering up a loose puck that dangerously danced along the goal line.

EGR goalie Joe Green (23 saves) then countered with a big stop of his own with just under 6 minutes to go.

And with less than a minute to go in regulation, Glenn Green broke in alone on Dudlar, but fired just wide forcing OT.

Trailing 2-1 to start the second period, Cranbrook capitalized on a two-man advantage as Schmitt tallied the equalizer off the ensuing face-off just 7 seconds following the second EGR penalty. Saijo drew the assist at 8:28.

Before fans could get comfortable in their seats, EGR’s Glenn Green rushed down the ice and beat Dudlar for a 1-0 lead just 12 seconds into the game.

But the Cranes tied it on Kyle Braunscheidel’s goal from Wyatt Versfelt and Will Nottle at 4:14, but EGR responded on James Albers’ power play goal from Rieden McIntosh and Oliver Owen to put the Pioneers back on top, 2-1, after one period.

During the first 17 minutes, EGR outshot Cranbrook, 17-7.

Fatigue may a played a factor as the two teams played what amounted to an additional 20 minutes. The longest game in MHSAA history occurred in 2008 when Marquette and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s were declared co-champions after a record eight 8-minute OTs in a 1-1 draw.

“The second overtime we started to see guys not being to go as long on their shifts,” Cranbrook fifth-year coach Joe LaFontaine said. “It’s hard on them, but you can’t really change anything. But they still looked like they had their legs.”

EGR enjoyed a big shot advantage, 55-26, but couldn’t get enough shots behind the towering Dudlar, who joined the Cranbrook team during the holiday break after a stint with the AAA U-18 Oakland Junior Grizzlies.

“Other than CC (Detroit Catholic Central) that was the hardest team we had to play against,” LaFontain said of EGR. “They’re very well coached. They got more speed than I thought they had. I saw them on film and I didn’t realize the speed that they have and the pace that they’re playing at. My hats off to them and I’m proud of my guys.”

Meanwhile, Schmitt proved to be an unlikely hero after having just one goal during the regular season. But he came up huge during the playoffs, including a pair in the finals.

“It’s incredible, but it’s just not me, it’s the team – I mean everybody, the coaches, the goalie – everybody put in deeply as much work,” Schmitt said. “I can’t say enough about these guys.”

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: MHSAA hockey: Cranbrook outlasts East Grand Rapids in triple overtime