With all the odds stacked against them, the EGR hockey team has dominated their way into the state semifinals. It’s the first time in years that East has reached this game, and they’re doing it with a team considered an underdog. Obviously, someone was wrong. For the past two games, their opponents have been favored. Whoever made these predictions could not have been more mistaken; the boys recently outscored Big Rapids 6-0.

“I think we have surpassed everyone’s thoughts and expectations. I don’t think anyone thought of us as a top 4 team in the division. I also don’t think anyone thought of us having an outstanding regular season 19-5-1 record. I think we have done very well so far, but we are not done yet,” Robbie Stuursma ‘20 said.

As one of the key players on the team, Stuursma believes they have been constantly overlooked by many. Now as Detroit Country Day comes around, they are ready to prove the critics wrong once again.

“I feel like we have bought in to the system and played as a whole to get us this far,” Colin Stecco ‘19 said.

Stecco has been a powerhouse on the ice all season including netting two huge goals against Big Rapids on Wednesday. Alongside him, fellow senior Jake Adams also put up two goals, Stuursma one, and Reilly O’Connor ‘19 another to the scoreboard. Goalie Tate Potteiger protects the net while his teammates get the job done on the offensive side; he has been outstanding throughout the playoffs with multiple shutouts.

This season has been a continuous build up of teamwork and coming together for the boys, and they appear ready for one of their biggest challenges yet. Whether or not anyone else thinks they are “ready,” EGR has what it takes, and they all know it. Don’t call it a miracle on ice quite yet, but the boys are rolling.