Calumet Claims Regional Hockey Crown – Sunday Sports Wrap

High School

Calumet won its third straight regional hockey championship Saturday, shading Houghton 3-2 in overtime. The Copper Kings took a 1-0 lead on an Ayden Williams power play goal late in the second period. The Gremlins responded with tallies by Camden Markham and Jace Deforge to take the lead early in the third. Paul Sturos’ goal late in the third period forced overtime, and his shot from the blue line five minutes into the extra period was deflected into the net by Braydon Cima for the game-winner. Houghton outshot Calumet 34-24. Aksel Loukus made 32 saves for the Copper Kings, and Bryant Lee made 21 for the Gremlins.

Calumet will face either Alpena or Gaylord in the quarterfinals next Saturday in Marquette. Coverage will begin at 12:40 in advance of a 1:00 faceoff on the Voice of the Copper Kings, KBear 102.3. Alpena and Gaylord will play their regional title game Tuesday night.

College Hockey

The Michigan Tech hockey team closed its regular season with its second straight 2-1 loss to top-ranked Minnesota State Saturday night. Brian Halonen scored the Huskies’ only goal. Blake Pietila made 19 saves.

Northern Michigan settled for a weekend split against Ferris State, falling 4-2 Saturday night.

Minnesota State wins the MacNaughton Cup with the best regular-season record in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, and will be the top seed in the playoffs. They’ll open at home next weekend against eighth seed St. Thomas. Tech is seeded second, and will host seventh seed Ferris State. Third seed Bowling Green will entertain sixth seed Bowling Green. Lake Superior State is seeded fourth, and will host fifth seed Northern Michigan. The quarterfinals will be three-game series. The winners will advance to a single-game semifinal March 12th, and the Mason Cup will be decided with a single-game final March 19th.

The Finlandia women’s hockey season ended with a 6-0 loss to top-seeded Adrian College in the opening round of the NCHA tournament Saturday. The Lions were outshot 47-13. Finlandia finishes its season with a record of 3-21-1.

College Basketball

Both Michigan Tech basketball teams concluded their regular seasons with victories at Lake Superior State Saturday.
• The women fell behind early, but regrouped quickly, and earned a 65-56 win. Ellie Mackay led the Huskies with 18 points and nine rebounds. Katelyn Meister added 17 points, and Alex Rondorf had 14.
• The men overcame a 14-point second-half deficit to claim a 78-63 victory. Adam Hobson led a balanced attack with 15 points.

Northern Michigan split their games against Ferris State, with the women falling 72-62, and the men prevailing 93-87.

The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference playoffs begin Wednesday…
• On the women’s side, Tech is seeded fourth, and will host fifth seed Northwood. Northern is seeded eighth, and will open at top seed Grand Valley. Second seed Ferris State will entertain seventh seed Saginaw Valley State. Third seed Wayne State will host sixth seed Wisconsin-Parkside.
• On the men’s side, Tech and Ferris tied for the best conference record, but the Bulldogs hold the tiebreaker, and will be the first seed. They will host eighth seed Davenport in the opening round. The Huskies will entertain seventh seed Wisconsin-Parkside. Third seed Northern Michigan will welcome sixth seed Lake Superior State. Fourth seed Saginaw Valley will host fifth seed Grand Valley.

College Softball

The Finlandia softball team begins its southern season today, with games against Chatham University and Moravian University.

College Baseball

The Finlandia baseball team opens its southern schedule with a doubleheader against Chatham today.

GLHL

The Portage Lake Pioneers lost 9-2 to the Fond du Lac Bears Saturday night.

The Calumet Wolverines fell 7-6 in overtime to the West Bend Bombers Saturday. Ian Carroll made 73 saves.

NHL

The Detroit Red Wings lost a 10-7 offensive explosion to the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday night. Mitchell Marner had four goals and two assists for the Leafs. The teams combined to score eight goals in the third period, and put 72 shots on four goalies.

The Wings host the Carolina Hurricanes Tuesday. Coverage will begin at 7:15 on 99.3 The Lift.

NBA

The Detroit Pistons lost to the Boston Celtics yesterday, 113-104. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 25 points, despite missing a lot of playing time because of early foul trouble.

The Pistons host the Charlotte Hornets this evening. Coverage will begin at 6:35 on 99.3 The Lift.

MLB

After a contentious bargaining session yesterday, negotiators for Major League Baseball team owners and players will meet again today to try to work out new labor agreement. Owner have locked out the players, and have vowed that if no agreement is in place by Monday, they will begin canceling regular-season games.

Local Sports Broadcasts

• Tuesday – boys basketball – Houghton at Jeffers – 7:00 pregame on the Voice of the Gremlins, 97.7 The Wolf.
• Wednesday – Division Two girls basketball regional semifinal – Kingsford at Houghton – 6:40 pregame on the Voice of the Gremlins, 97.7 The Wolf.
• Wednesday – Division Three girls basketball regional semifinal – Westwood at Calumet – 6:40 pregame on the Voice of the Copper Kings, KBear 102.3.
• Thursday – boys basketball – Calumet at Hancock – 7:00 pregame on the Voice of the Copper Kings, KBear 102.3.
• Friday – Division Three girls basketball district final – if Calumet advances – on the Voice of the Copper Kings, KBear 102.3.
• Friday – Division Two girls basketball district final – if Houghton advances – on the Voice of the Gremlins, 97.7 The Wolf.
• Saturday – hockey quarterfinal at Marquette – Calumet v Alpena or Gaylord – 12:40 pregame on the Voice of the Copper Kings, KBear 102.3.

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