Kero Shines as Pioneers Retain Gibson Cup – Wednesday Sports Wrap

Click on the bold scores for more details.

Gibson Cup
The Portage Lake Pioneers scored four goals in the third period, and came from behind to defeat the Calumet Wolverines 7-4 in the deciding game of the Gibson Cup series last night. The Wolverines were up 1-0 after the first period, and 4-3 after the second. Hunter Kero scored both of the Pioneers’ second-period goals, and assisted on three others. Connor Hannon had two goals and one assist, and Aaron Sturos had a goal and four assists. Calumet was led by Mike Babcock, with a goal and an assist. It’s the ninth straight year that the Pioneers have won the series.

Both teams will compete at the Great Lakes Hockey League Tournament in West Bend this weekend. Our coverage begins Friday at 11:45 with the Pioneers’ game against the eagle River Falcons on Kbear 102.3 and KBear102.com.

Finlandia
The Finlandia University softball team was scheduled to host Northland College in their home opener this afternoon. Because of poor field conditions, the meeting has been postponed. No makeup date has been announced.

Former Houghton High School hockey goaltender Marcus Gloss will join the Finlandia University hockey team next season. Gloss was a member of the Gremlins team that played for a state title in 2015. He went on to play for the Pittsburgh Vengeance of the North American Three Hockey League. This past season, he was named Most Valuable Player of the Comox Valley Glacier Kings of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League.

NBA
The Detroit Pistons’ struggles continued last night, with a heartbreaking 97-96 loss to the Miami Heat last night. The Pistons seemed poised to break their four-game losing streak. They overcame a 12-point deficit, and led by four with 30 seconds remaining. Hassan Whiteside’s tip-in at the buzzer survived a video review to win it for the Heat. With seven regular-season games remaining, Detroit now trails Miami by two-and-a-half games for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot, and is a game-and-a-half behind the Chicago Bulls. The Pistons will host the Brooklyn Nets tomorrow evening.

NHL
The Detroit Red Wings were officially eliminated from playoff contention last night, with a 4-1 loss at Carolina. Playing their third game in three days, the weary Wings fell behind early. Tomas Nosek scored his first NHL goal in the third period. The loss, combined with wins by Boston and Toronto, means Detroit will miss the playoffs for the first time since 1990. The Wings will skate at Tampa Bay tomorrow night. Faceoff is at 7:30 on AM 1400 and FM 99.3, WCCY.

MLB
In spring training baseball, Michael Fulmer gave up a run in the first inning, but then pitched four shutout frames as the Detroit Tigers defeated the New York Yankees 6-3 last night. Justin Upton and Steven Moya homered for Detroit. The Tigers will face the Philadelphia Phillies this afternoon.

MLB.com is reporting that Matt Boyd has won the final spot in Detroit’s starting rotation this season. Anibal Sanchez, who pitched effectively late in spring training after making a change in his delivery, will open the season in the bullpen. That report has not been confirmed by manager Brad Ausmus.

Mitch Ghelfi’s RBI single in the ninth inning lifted the Milwaukee Brewers to a 13-12 victory over the Cleveland Indians yesterday. Opening day starter Junior Guerra struggled again, giving up four runs on nine hits before leaving with two outs in the fourth inning. Orlando Arcia slugged two home runs for Milwaukee. Ryan Braun, Eric Sogard and Jesus Aguilar also hit homers. After the game, Aguilar learned that he had made the opening-day roster. Sogard, Ivan De Jesus Jr. and Rene Garcia were sent to the minors. The Brewers will face the Los Angeles Angels in their final Cactus League game this afternoon.

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