FRUITPORT TWP. - Reeths-Puffer hockey fans probably had a few concerns coming into Friday's Division 2 regional semifinal game against Grand Haven.
The Rockets drew a first-round bye and had been ide for a week, while Grand Haven, which has been winning a lot lately, was coming off a victory on Wednesday night.
Beyond that, the Rockets and the Bucs played each other earlier in the season and the game was very close until R-P took control down the stretch.
As it turned out, however, there was no reason for concern. 
R-P's Eli Cuti, left, and Ayden Hartzell battle an opponent for the puck. Photo/Jeremy Clark
The talented Rockets left a big mark in the postseason last year, when they advanced all the way to the state semifinals, and they are obviously determined to have a great run again.
That was obvious in the first 10 minutes of Friday's game, when the Rockets took control with three unanswered goals en route to a 5-2 victory at Lakeshore Sports Centre.
Trenton Hanks and Ayden Hartzell were the offensive stars with two goal apiece, while goalie Huck VanDyke did a great job of keeping Grand Haven from mounting a comeback.
Reeths-Puffer, now 17-7-2 on the season, advances to next Wednesday's regional championship game against the winner of Friday's late game between Kenowa Hills and Traverse City Central.
The winner of the regional will move on to the Division 2 state quarterfinals.
R-P's Hunter Fritz (9) works the puck out from behind the Rocket goal. Photo/Jeremy Clark
"We actually needed that week off," said R-P head coach Dustin Langlois. "We had a guy out with a concussion, and Eli (Cuti) had some shoulder issues. I was a little nervous coming in, because Grand Haven just played on Wednesday and they were up to speed, but our guys jumped right into it.
"We had eight seniors out there who didn't want this to be their last game, so they bore down and really got the job done for us."
The Rockets burst out of the gate and put on a show in the first period.
Hanks scored just over a minute and a half into the game, giving R-P a 1-0 lead.
R-P goalie Huck VanDyke, who helped ice the win with a lot of great saves. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Hanks struck again about four minutes later, then Hartzell scored about four minutes after that, and the Rockets ended the first period with a 3-0 lead.
R-P had a 5-on-3 power play advantage midway through the second period, and Hartzell took advantage by scoring with a hard shot from between the faceoff circles.
Grand Haven finally got on the board with a goal by Ben Wilke with 7:52 remaining, and the second period ended with R-P leading 4-1.
Things got a little tight when Grand Haven's Mark Braden scored about 4 1/2 minutes into the third period, making the score 4-2.
But the Rockets controlled the puck in the period, outshooting Grand Haven 11-3, and iced the win with a goal by Hayden Taylor with 1:43 left on the clock.
Hartzell works the puck past an opponent. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Tyler Tindall had three assists for R-P, Hartzell and Taylor each had two while Tyler Cuti and Eli Cuti each had one.
"Our guys are very focused, and even more determined (this season)," Langlois said. "With the run we had last year, we know how to prepare for the next couple of games coming up."
The game could have turned out differently if it hadn't been for VanDyke.
Grand Haven had six shots on goal in the first period, and really poured it on with nine in the second, but VanDyke only let one puck past him during that 34 minute stretch, which kept the Rockets firmly in control.
"That puck was bouncing like crazy in front of his net, and they were really good about getting in the middle of the ice and banging in rebounds, too, but Huck made some great saves," Langlois said. "We know he's our rock back there, and we can lean on him when we have to."