Calumet Copper Kings Win 6th State Championship

Rastello’s Championship Winning Goal

“Score! Score! Score! Copper Kings score! Logan Rastello, Oh my God! Oh my God! … Unbelievable!”

There couldn’t have been more drama for the Division 3 state championship game and became the first state hockey championship game to finish with a 1-0 final. (However, there was more drama for the Division 1 championship.)

Rastello scored the games only goal off a rebound on his own shot, scoring the most memorable goal of his life. At 4:18 into the extra period he became a local hero.

On the other end of the rice was goaltender Tyler Junttila, posting the most memorable shutout of his life. At just 5-foot-6 Junttila was one of the smallest players in both the final and semi-final game and one of the most dominant players. Junttila stopped numerous breakaways and scoring chances in the second period as Flint Powers dominated the shots. Junttila allowed just seven goals in the final five games of the season.

Flint Powers gave Flint the closest taste they’ve ever had to a hockey championship, falling just a single shot short of making it come true.

Calumet won the championship on back-to-back overtime victories and finished their season with 18-11-0. The Copper Kings beat St. Mary’s 5-4 in overtime of the semifinal game. The 2005 Birmingham Brother Rice squad is the only other team to every win a championship with back-to-back overtime wins.

Calumet had a record of just 10-10-0 shortly before the playoffs and were underdogs in nearly every playoff matchup. They played their best hockey of the season when it counted.

Calumet coach Jim Crawford has lead the Copper kings to six state championships since 1992.

Calumet Copper Kings Celebrate

Photos by djarvinen

The Marquette Redmen also won the state championship in a historical Division 1 showdown. Making it the first time two UP teams have won state hockey championships in the same year.