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High School
Hancock claimed the regional hockey title yesterday, with a 4-0 shutout of Calumet at the SDC. Bryce Randell gave the Bulldogs an early lead, Trevor Tchida scored twice, and Austin Salani added a power play shot. Dawson Kero earned the shutout in net.
The Bulldogs will face Big Rapids in the quarterfinals of the state tournament Wednesday at Sault Ste. Marie. The Cardinals edged Sault Ste. Marie 4-3 in overtime to win their region yesterday. Hear the broadcast on KBear 102.3 and KBear102.com.
Finlandia
The Finlandia University softball team opened its spring schedule of games in Clermont, Florida, with a pair of losses yesterday. The Lions fell to York College 10-2, and Nebraska Wesleyan 7-3. The Lions will play Elizabethtown College and Rosemont College this morning.
MTU/NMU
The Michigan Tech hockey team advanced to the semifinals of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association tournament with a 5-4 victory over Bemidji State last night. Mitch Reinke’s goal 41 seconds into the game got the Huskies off to a quick start. Jake Lucchini’s short-handed goal four minutes later increased the lead to 2-0. Bemidji got one back in the second period. Justin Misiak and Joel L’Esperance extended Tech’s lead to 4-1 late in the third period, and then the fireworks started. The Beavers pulled their goalie for an extra attacker, and scored with 2:12 remaining. Mark Auk found the empty net for MTU with 1:28 to go. The Huskies then held on as Bemidji scored twice to make it close. Devin Kero stopped a final shot as time expired to seal the win, and the two-game quarterfinal sweep.
Northern Michigan University fell to Alabama-Huntsville 3-2. That best-of-three series will conclude this evening in Marquette. Bowling Green and Minnesota State completed sweeps of their quarterfinal series last night to advance to the semifinals.
The Michigan Tech men’s basketball team lost to Lake Superior State 70-56 in the semifinals of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament at Big Rapids yesterday. The Huskies led by a point at halftime, but were held to just 21 points in the second half. Kyle Monroe led tech with 15 points.
GLHL
The Calumet Wolverines earned a 4-2 victory over the West Bend Bombers last night. The Wolverines could clinch the Great Lakes Hockey League title with a victory next weekend.
The Portage Lake Pioneers dropped a 6-3 decision to the Mosinee Papermakers last night.
NHL
The Detroit Red Wings visit the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight. Pregame coverage begins at 6:40 on 99.3 The Lift.
NBA
Blake Griffin scored 31 points, but the Detroit Pistons lost 105-96 to the Miami Heat last night. The Pistons visit the Cleveland Cavaliers tomorrow. Pregame coverage begins at 6:35 on 99.3 The Lift.
MLB
In spring training baseball, the Detroit Tigers lost to the Tampa Bay Rays 7-4 yesterday. Jordan Zimmerman gave up three runs over less than three innings. Nicholas Castellanos and Victor Martinez homered. The Tigers face the Washington Nationals this afternoon. Listen for select preseason games and all of Detroit’s regular-season games on 99.3 The Lift.
The Tigers say Michael Fulmer will miss his next start because of a sore elbow. They also say the soreness is not related to his recent elbow surgery. The problem is not believed to be serious.
The Milwaukee Brewers edged the Colorado Rockies 6-5 yesterday.Eric Thames and prospect Tyrone Taylor homered. The Brewers meet the Cleveland Indians this afternoon.
CopperDog 150
Dennis LaBoda scorched the course in the second stage of the CopperDog 150 yesterday, finishing the stretch in 2:44:25, at an average speed of 13.83 miles per hour. That boosted him from seventh place to second place overall. Stage one leader Martha Schouweiler remained in control of the race, however, by turning in the second best time of the day. She remains the overall leader heading into the final stage today, about two-and-a-half minutes ahead of LaBoda. Ryan Anderson is just a little over three minutes off the pace. Defending champion Anny Malo and former champion Jake Golton complete the top five. Local musher Tom Bauer is 13th. Bruce Magnusson and Larry Fortier were unable to start yesterday’s stage, and have dropped out of the competition. The teams leave Copper Harbor at beginning 8:30 this morning.
Tristan Rivest leads the CopperDog 80 at the midway point. Rivest, who was last year’s runner-up, leads Calumet musher Jerry Trudell by 3:38 after the opening stage from Calumet to Eagle River Friday night. Alex LaPlante, Liz van den Toorn and Kelsey Beaber round out the top five. Among local mushers, Susan Serafini is eighth, Kelly Jo Engle 11th, Becky Bean 13th, and Adam Schmidt 17th. Hannah Tiura was unable to complete the run, and has withdrawn from the race.
The final leg of both races will be run today from Copper Harbor to Calumet. Teams should begin arriving at the finish line in downtown Calumet just after noon. Listen for full coverage on 97.7 The Wolf and KBear 102, and check for updated results at CopperDog150.com.
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