Jason Stross made 37 saves in a brilliant effort for Lake Orion on Wednesday night. But East Kentwood held off a late flurry from the Dragons and took the state quarterfinal contest 1-0.
The game was played at Suburban Ice in Okemos with East Kentwood earning a trip to Friday’s semi-finals at Compuware Arena in Plymouth.
Kentwood, ranked second in the state, avenged a loss in last year’s quarters to Utica Eisenhower.
Lake Orion’s season, meanwhile, ends at 22-4-2, a school record.
Three Dragon victories last week set up the battle with the perennial state powerhouse.
The team topped Bay City Central 3-1 last Saturday in a Regional Final played at Macomb’s Suburban Ice Arena.
Kevin Kranker, John Costigan and Dave Johnson scored for the Dragons, who got a goal in each period to build a 3-0 lead.
Stross earned the win in net for Lake Orion, who beat Utica Eisenhower (8-2) and Port Huron Northern (4-1) last week in pre-regional action.
Look for more on the team’s season in next weeks Lake Orion Review.