Hancock Dominates Wing Ding – Saturday Sports Wrap

Click on the highlighted scores for more game details.

High School
Hancock took both Wing Ding matches against Houghton Friday night.
– In the basketball game, Houghton led 12 – 11 after the 1st quarter, but Hancock ramped up the defense against George Butvilas and Bradley Sirard, and took a 27-23 lead into half time, and went on to a 58-41 victory. Butvilas and Sirard combined for 21 of Houghton’s points in the first half but only managed eight in the second half. Butvilas led Houghton with 15. Chad Raasio of Hancock led all scorers with 18, including 11 in the second half.
– In the hockey game, Hancock’s top line of Lance Kangas, Ted Randell, and Alex Nordstrom each tallied twice as the Bulldogs continued to keep the Don and Rick Miller trophy with a 7-4 victory over Houghton. Though the Gremlins (14-8) took the early lead, a five minute major penalty was responsible for four Hancock (13-8) scores in the first period, with the last as the power-play expired. That built a lead that couldn’t be erased as the teams traded goals for the remainder of the contest. Clayton Sayen scored two goals for Houghton. With the victory the Bulldogs stayed tied with Calumet of the Great Lakes Conference. On Tuesday the Gremlins will face Calumet, while Hancock will make up a December match against Marquette.

In other hockey action, L’Anse lost at Ashland 4-1. Tyler Fish scored the Purple Hornets’ only goal. Craig Mantila made 44 saves, as L’Anse was outshot 48-10.

In other boys basketball games…
– Calumet defeated West Iron County 48-32.
– L’Anse outscored Lake Linden-Hubbell 78-73.
– Ontonagon got past Dollar Bay-Tamarack City 64-56.
– Jeffers downed Chassell 62-40.
– Baraga lost at Republic-Michigamme 68-25.

In girls basketball Friday night, L’Anse defeated Ewen-Trout Creek 63-50.

MTU
The Michigan Tech hockey team opened is annual Winter Carnival series with a 3-2 loss to Ferris State. The Huskies outshot the Bulldogs 41-19, but FSU goalie Justin Kapelmaster turned in an impressive evening in net. The Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead in the first period. Alex Smith’s goal in the second period closed the gap to one. Ferris added an insurance goal late the second period. Mark Auk again closed the gap to one with a third-period score, but the Huskies couldn’t force the tie. Those teams play again tonight at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Because of Winter Carnival activities, the game will begin at 5:07.

Both Michigan Tech Tech hoops teams welcome Saginaw Valley State today. Start times will be earlier than usual because of Winter Carnival. The women’s game will tip off at noon, followed by the men’s contest at 2:00.

NMU
The Northern Michigan University hockey team earned its fourth-straight shutout, blanking Alaska-Fairbanks 3-0 Friday night. Atte Tolvanen made 39 saves for the Wildcats. He extended his school record for consecutive scoreless minutes 275.42. Those teams will meet again in Marquette tonight.

Both NMU basketball teams will entertain Wayne State today.

Finlandia
The Finlandia University men’s hockey team lost 5-2 to Lake Forest College Friday afternoon. The Foresters opened a 3-0 lead over the first two periods. Devin Smith put Finlandia on the board early in the third stanza, but two quick Lake Forest goals iced the game for the Foresters. Dylan Farmer added a late tally for the Lions. Alec Rounds took the loss in net, as the Lions were outshot 42-11. Those teams play again this afternoon, in Finlandia’s final match of the season. Faceoff is at 5:00 at the Houghton County Arena.

The Lions women’s hockey squad fell behind early, and lost 7-0 to St. Norbert Friday. Those teams meet again this afternoon at 1:30 at the Houghton County Arena.

Former Houghton standout Kelsie Richards had a strong night, as the Finlandia women’s basketball team defeated Martin Luther College 66-59 Friday evening. Richards scored 21 points, and grabbed  13 rebounds as the Lions scored the first eight points of the game, and led from start to finish.

The Finlandia men’s team dominated the Green Knights 96-69 Friday evening. Martin Luther took a seven point lead early, but the Lions regrouped and outscored the Knights 27-6 over the final seven minutes of the first half to put the game away. Four Finlandia players reached double figures in scoring, led by Nick Cercone with 26. Terrance Fuller added 20 points off the bench, and snared 10 rebounds.

Both Finlandia basketball teams host Bethany Lutheran College today. The women’s contest starts at 4:00, and the men’s at 6:00.

GLHL
In Great Lakes Hockey League play, the Calumet Wolverines lost 5-4 to the Eagle River Falcons Friday night. The Portage Lake Pioneers play at Eagle River tonight.

NHL
The Detroit Red Wings skate at Columbus today. Faceoff is at 5:00 on AM 1400 and FM 99.3, WCCY.

NBA
The Detroit Pistons’ two-game winning streak ended with a 103-92 loss to the San Antonio Spurs Friday night. Tobias Harris scored 15 for Detroit. The Pistons will play at Toronto Sunday. We’ll join the game after Red Wings hockey on AM 1400 and FM 99.3, WCCY.

Ilitch Passes
Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch has died. Ilitch played four seasons of minor league baseball, then started the Little Caesar’s Pizza Treat restaurant in suburban Detroit in 1959. It grew into a nationwide chain. He bought the Red Wings from Bruce Norris in 1982, and purchased the Tigers from fellow pizza magnate Tom Monaghan in 1992. He used the teams as linchpins in his efforts to redevelop areas in downtown Detroit. Mike Ilitch was 87 years old.

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