Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
MTU Hockey
One of the most famous alumni of the Michigan Tech hockey team has died. NHL Hall of Fame goaltender Tony Esposito passed away yesterday at age 78. He had been battling pancreatic cancer. Esposito grew up in Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario. He earned first-team All-American honors three times as a Husky, and led Tech to the 1965 NCAA championship. He played two years of minor league hockey after graduation, then was drafted by Montreal Canadiens. He saw little playing time as the Habs won the Stanley Cup in 1969, then was selected in the intra-league draft by the Blackhawks. Esposito won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s best rookie, claimed three Vezina Trophies as best goaltender, and earned six All-Star team berths over 15 seasons in Chicago. He was inducted into the MTU Hall of Fame as an individual in 1991, and as a member of the 1965 National Championship Team in 2014.
NHL
The Detroit Red Wings have signed forward Jakub Vrana to a three-year deal. The agreement avoids arbitration, and is reported to be worth nearly $16 million. Vrana was obtained from the Washington Capitals late last season as part of the Anthony Mantha trade.
MLB
The Detroit Tigers bombed the Baltimore Orioles 9-4 last night. In a game that was delayed nearly two hours because of rain, Casey Mize struggled, giving up all four Baltimore runs before leaving in the fifth inning. The Detroit offense picked him up. A double by Willi Castro and a triple by Akil Badoo scored two in the second. A Jonathan Schoop double and a Castro triple powered a four-run third inning. Jeimer Candelario hit a two-run homer in the eighth, and a Robbie Grossman single plated the Bengals’ final run in the ninth. Kyle Funkhauser got the win in relief.
The Tigers continue that series in Baltimore tonight. Tarik Skubal will start against Matt Harvey. Coverage will begin at 6:45 on 99.3 The Lift.
The Milwaukee Brewers swept their doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs yesterday. Freddy Peralta pitched into the sixth, as the Crew won the opener 4-2. Willy Adames, Avisaíl García and Lorenzo Cain homered. Milwaukee used seven pitchers in a 6-3 victory in the nightcap. All six runs scored in the fifth inning, as the Brewers sent 11 men to the plate, and collected six hits.
The Brewers continue that set in Chicago tonight.
Milwaukee brought reliever Jake Cousins off the COVID-19 list yesterday, and designated reliever Sal Romano for assignment.
Running
The Third Annual Bootjack Fun Run and Walk will take place Saturday morning. All events begin and end at the Dreamland Restaurant, including the 9.06k run and the 9.06k walk, the half-length Mini906 run and walk, and the SuperMini .906k. This year’s proceeds will go to the Bootjack First Responders. For event times, and to register, click here.
The Copper Country Twilight Baseball League tournament will be held this weekend. Hear the semifinals and the championship game Sunday on KBear 102.3 and KBear102.com.
Listen for expanded high school football coverage this fall from Keweenaw Report Sports. Houghton games will air on the Voice of the Gremlins, 97.7 The Wolf, starting with their opener at Westwood Friday, August 27th. Calumet contests will air on the Voice of the Copper Kings, KBear 102.3, beginning with their home game against Gladstone on Friday, August 27th. We’ll also carry all of Lake Linden-Hubbell’s football games, starting Thursday, August 26th when the Lakes visit the Gogebic Miners on KBear 102.3.
Email sports news and scores to mornings@up.net.
