TRAVERSE CITY -- This far into the playoffs, it doesn't get any easier.
But after Traverse City Central's 4-3 triple-overtime victory over No. 7 Midland in the Division 2 hockey regional finals on Saturday, can it get much harder?
"I don't know if I can handle that again," Trojans coach Chris Givens joked.
After dispatching of the 19-5 Chemics, Central now gets 22-3-2 Saginaw Heritage tonight at Flint's Perani Arena.
Heritage similarly won its regional final 4-3 against No. 8 Rochester Stoney Creek, minus the overtimes.
The Hawks have lost only once since a 6-2 setback against Midland on Jan. 14.
"I've talked to several people that have played them, and they all says the same thing: They're a very good team, well-coached and responsible on the defensive end," Givens said.
The Hawks have given up only 17 goals in their last 10 games, including a 4-2 win over the Chemics on Feb. 11. Six of those scored surrenders have come in their last two playoffs games.
This season, Saginaw Heritage defeated area teams Cadillac (4-0) and the Bay Reps (5-2), but lost to TC West (0-4).
"They're good a and solid from top to bottom," Givens said. "You don't have to look hard to see that they beat Midland, and Midland is a very good team."
One player to watch for is Heritage's Adam Leibinger, who had two goals and an assist in Saturday's regional final win, including the game-winner.
Central comes into the contest with an uptick in offense, generating an average of 4.4 goals a game in its past five contests. The Trojans are trying for just their second four-game win streak of the season.
Both teams roll at least three lines in the playoffs, whereas Midland often went with just two against the Trojans.
"You've got to be able to play more than two lines to go very far at this level," Givens said.
Another similarity between the two squads is all of their losses have come against ranked opponents.
Trevor Mattis, who left the game against Midland after catching a stick to the throat, is fine and Central goes into the game 100-percent healthy, Givens said.
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