Detroit Country Day withstands EGR in second D3 state semifinal (with photos)

By @MichaelCaples –

PLYMOUTH – You don’t need many goals when you have the reigning Mr. Hockey winner between the pipes.

It was still pretty close though.

Detroit Country Day is returning to the MHSAA Division 3 state championship game, after the Yellowjackets beat East Grand Rapids 3-1 in the second of two state semifinals Friday afternoon at USA Hockey Arena.

Goaltender Sam Evola stopped 19 of the 20 shots sent his way, leading DCD to their second consecutive D3 final. There, the Yellowjackets will take on Houghton, a squad that recorded a 8-0 mercy win over Riverview Gabriel Richard in the first D3 semifinal.

Captain Mickey VanAntwerp scored two second-period goals for the Yellowjacks, while Logan Gotinsky registered the empty-netter that wrapped things up.

Nathan Milanowski scored the lone goal for East Grand Rapids, which finishes the season 21-6-1.

The D3 state title game will start at 2 p.m. Saturday at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth.