FLINT -- Traverse City Central's season ended in Flint, as Saginaw Heritage advanced to the Division 2 Final Four with a 4-3 win.
The Trojans outshot Heritage 33-14.
"Heritage was just very opportunistic," Central coach Chris Givens said. "We'd be down there peppering their goalie and they'd come back with one rush and score. That's the way it goes sometimes."
The Hawks (23-3-2) went up 3-1, including scoring four minutes into the game.
Chad McLintock notched Central's first goal, assisted by Jared VanWormer and Adam Swy three minutes after Saginaw hit the scoring column.
Max Schrank made it 3-2 -- set up by Swy and Travis Clary -- just 39 seconds after the Hawks had gone back up by two goals. But Heritage struck with 6:50 left in the third period for a 4-2 lead.
Dane Macdonell scored short-handed off a VanWormer assist with 2:34 left, and the Trojans pulled goalie Hunter Kelly for the final 1:15 for an extra attacker and generated opportunities, but couldn't get one past Heritage netminder Brian Westendorf.
"We certainly could have won this game and be going to the Final Four," Givens said. "They've been a great group to work with. They just came to rink for early practices, worked hard and didn't give us any problems."
Saginaw Heritage will play Trenton in Thursday's second semifinal matchup in Plymouth.
Central (18-8-2) will lose eight seniors from its roster of 19.
"It's pretty hard to see all these kids go, but in particular it's sad to see guys like Eric Swy, Dane Macdonell and Travis Clary go because they've been here since they were freshmen. They've meant a lot to the program."
Those three were also on Central's 2006 state championship team.
Central's other seniors are forwards Derek Gardiner and Riley Huffman, defenseman Steve Ball and goaltenders Kelly and Dan Spencer.
The senior class was 75-27-8 in the last four years, winning two Big North Conference titles.
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