Both Tech Hoops Teams Claim Titles – Saturday Sports Wrap

High School

In high school hockey last evening…
• Houghton blanked Jeffers 6-0. The Gremlins got two goals and two assists from Landon Stevens, and one goal each from Camden Markham, Nathan Erva, Sully Rajala and Tedd Halonen. Matthew Ryynanen earned the shutout in net, as the Gremlins outshot the Jets 44-11.
• Calumet defeated Hancock 4-2 in the opening game of the Copper Island Classic. Dean Loukus had a hat trick for the Copper Kings. Noah Jukuri scored, and Jackson Rilei had two assists. Chad Nordstrom and Austin Salani scored for the Bulldogs. Fundraising activities were held to help former coach Dan Rouleau with medical expenses. If you couldn’t donate at the game, you can do so at a GoFundMe page here.

On the hockey schedule today…
• Houghton hosts Escanaba – coverage begins at 12:40 on KBear 102.3 and KBear102.com.
• The total points Copper Island Classic wraps up tonight, as Hancock plays at Calumet. Coverage starts at 6:40 on KBear 102.3 and KBear102.com.

In high school girls basketball last night…
• L’Anse shut down Lake Linden-Hubbell 71-24.
• Baraga smothered Bessemer 61-15.
• Chassell defeated Wakefield-Marenisco 43-34. Madisyn Holombo had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Panthers.
• Ontonagon defeated Ironwood 57-32.
• Ewen-Trout Creek got past Ishpeming 38-35. Elise Besonen scored 18 for Ewen.

In boys play last night…
• Hancock fell to West Iron County 49-35.
• Calumet edged Lake Linden-Hubbell 46-40.
• Baraga lost to Bessemer 76-60.
• Ontonagon fell to Ironwood 49-37.
• Chassell defeated Wakefield-Marenisco 74-58. Karl Rautiola scored 36 for the Panthers.

In girls-boys basketball doubleheaders today…
• Houghton hosts Negaunee, with the first game at noon.
• Jeffers plays at Hancock, with the first game at 2:00.
• Dollar Bay-Tamarack City visits Chassell, with the opening game at 1:00. Our coverage of the boys game will begin shortly after 2:00 on 97.7 The Wolf and TheWolf.com.

In high school swimming today…
 • Houghton welcomes Rudyard.

College Hockey

The 20th-ranked Michigan Tech hockey team crunched Northern Michigan University 6-1 last night. Brett Thorne opened the scoring for the Huskies with his first collegiate goal. Alec Broetzman netted the eventual game-winner late in the first period, and added another goal late in the contest. Brian Halonen, Jake Crespi and and Tyler Rockwell also scored. Blake Pietila made 28 saves.

Those teams play again tonight at 6:07 in Marquette.

The Finlandia University hockey team is off this weekend.

College Basketball

The 10th-ranked Michigan Tech women’s basketball team clinched the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular-season title last night with a gritty 77-73 victory over Wisconsin-Parkside. Ellie Mackay led the Huskies with 24 points. Those teams wrap up their regular seasons this afternoon at the SDC. Tech has won 14 straight games, and will open the GLIAC tournament Thursday as the top-seed.

The Tech men’s team grabbed an early lead, and held on for a 70-65 victory over Parkside yesterday. Owen White scored 21. The win secured the GLIAC North Division title for the Huskies. Those teams conclude their regular seasons this afternoon in Kenosha.

The Northern Michigan University women’s team downed Purdue Northwest 73-61 yesterday afternoon. Makaylee Kuhn scored 34 for the Wildcats. Those teams end their regular-season campaigns in Marquette today.

The NMU men’s team had to cancel its games against Purdue-Northwest this weekend because of COVID-19 issues. They will not be made up.

The Finlandia University women’s basketball team will host Bryant and Stratton College from Buffalo, New York, this afternoon. The men’s team will play at Gogebic Community College today.

College Volleyball

The Tech volleyball team plays at Northwood University today and tomorrow.

The Northern volleyball squad defeated Saginaw Valley State University 3-1 yesterday. The Wildcats host the Cardinals again today.

NHL

The Detroit Red Wings visit the Chicago Blackhawks this evening. Coverage begins at 7:45 on 99.3 The Lift.

NBA

The Detroit Pistons lost 110-107 to the Sacramento Kings last night. Jerami Grant scored 30 for Detroit,

The Pistons host the New York Knicks tomorrow.

CopperDog 150

Former champion J.R. Anderson leads the field after the first leg of the CopperDog 150 last night. Anderson made the trek from Eagle Harbor to Copper Harbor in 2:37:12. He holds a slim 1:42 second lead over Laura Bontrager. Michael Bestgen is 4:21 off the pace. Two-time defending champion Martha Schouweiler is sixth. Among local mushers, Sarah Tarlton is eighth, Tom Bauer 12th, Jaimee High 19th, and Griffin Ferrell 23rd.

The second leg of the race is an out-and-back loop from Copper Harbor this morning. Stage three will run from Copper Harbor to Eagle Harbor tomorrow morning.

The single-stage CopperDog 25 will begin at 4:00 this afternoon in Copper Harbor.

See full results, along with race video, here.

Email sports news and scores to mornings@up.net.