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MTU
The Michigan Tech hockey team blanked Northern Michigan University 2-0 last night to win the Western Collegiate Hockey Association tournament title. After a scoreless first period, Greyson Reitmeier put the Huskies on top early in the second stanza. Meanwhile, goaltender Patrick Munson and the MTU defense frustrated the Wildcats’ offense. Tech defenders blocked 22 shots in the third period. Munson turned away all 21 shots he faced in the game. Joel L’Esperance scored an empty-net insurance goal in the closing minute.
Michigan Tech will be the first name inscribed on the new Jeff Sauer tournament championship trophy. Justin Misiak was named the game’s third star, Reitmeier the second star, and Munson was named first star and Most Outstanding Player.
The win earns Tech a berth in the upcoming NCAA tournament. Pairings and schedules will be announced today at noon.
High School
The Chassell girls basketball team finished its season as state tournament runner-up, with a 57-36 loss to Adrian Lenawee Christian in the Class D championship game yesterday morning. The Panthers fell behind early, closed the gap by halftime, but were held to just 13 points in the second half. Sydney Danison led Chassell with 17 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots. Milly Allen added 10 points.
A welcome home ceremony for the Panthers is planned for 2:00 this afternoon at the Chassell School gym. All fans are encouraged to attend.
Team CC
Team Copper Country swept away its final two opponents in pool play yesterday at the state tournament in Marquette.
In the morning match, Kingsford’s Daunte Fortner picked up the hat trick with the first three tallies before the first minute of the second period as Team CC cruised to a 7-1 victory over the Lansing Split-Season squad. Nick Voelker made 19 saves, giving up the lone goal in the third period when the game was out of reach as his teammates put 54 shots on goal.
Team Copper Country had another 50 shots on the net in the nightcap, bolting out to a 7-0 lead after one period. Taavi Rajala, Sam Erkkila, Brent Loukas, Joe Phillips, and Dawson McKay lit the lamp twice in the 13-0 victory. Dawson Kero only needed nine saves for the shutout.
The defending national champions will face the Oakland Junior Grizzlies this morning at 8:30 at Lakeview Arena. Our broadcast coverage will begin around 8:10 on KBear 102.3 and KBear102.com. If Team CC wins, they will advance to the final against either the Kensington Valley Raiders or the Michigan Ice Hawks this afternoon at 2:30.
Check the full tournament schedule and updated scores here. Select “Youth National Bound” and then “Midget 18U AA – Tier 2”.
NCAA Women
Former Calumet High School athletics standout Chelsea Jacques will play in the NCAA women’s hockey tournament championship game today. Jacques is a junior on the Colgate University team, which will face Clarkson in the title match this afternoon.
NHL
The Detroit Red Wings will try to snap their nine game losing streak when they visit the Colorado Avalanche this afternoon. Pregame coverage begins at 2:40 on 99.3 The Lift.
NBA
The Detroit Pistons’ struggles continued with a 100-87 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers last night. Andre Drummond led Detroit with 18 points and 22 rebounds. The Pistons have lost 10 of their last 13 games, and will play the Kings in Sacramento tomorrow night. Pregame coverage starts at 9:35 on 99.3 The Lift.
MLB
In spring training baseball, the Detroit Tigers defeated the New York Yankees 9-3 yesterday. Starter Matthew Boyd gave up all three New York runs over three innings. Miguel Cabrera hit his first home run of the spring. Leonys Martin and prospect Chad Sedio also homered. The Tigers will face the Tampa Bay Rays this afternoon.
In a surprise move, Detroit manager Ron Gardenhire announced that Jordan Zimmermann will be the Tigers’ opening day starter. Zimmermann is coming off his worst-ever major league season, but has looked good this spring, having overcome some health issues.
The Milwaukee Brewers edged the Colorado Rocked 4-3 yesterday. Starter Zach Davies gave up a run in the first, then pitched into the fourth. He was helped when the Crew turned a triple play in the second inning. Milwaukee scored all four of its runs in the second inning. The big blow was a two-run homer by Jett Bandy. The Brewers take on the Los Angeles Dodgers this afternoon.
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