Bulldogs Win Hockey Crown!

The Hancock Bulldogs took a 3-0 lead in the first period, and then held off Grand Rapids Catholic Central to take a 4-2 victory in the Division Three state championship game today. Jack Fenton opened the scoring for Hancock 7:17 into the game. Jacob Norkol assisted. Alex Nordstrom added a goal several minutes later, with an assist from Tanner Givens. Danny Hill scored the eventual game-winner with 18 seconds remaining in the first period – a short-handed goal with assists from Nordstrom and Givens. The Cougars came back with two goals in the second period. The third period was scoreless until GRCC pulled their goalie with a little more than a minute to go. Nordstrom quickly found the empty net to seal the 4-2 win.  (Note: scorers gave the empty-net goal to Cory Tourtillot, although our announcers and other observers agreed it was Nordstrom. As of Sunday morning, the MHSAA box score still credited Tourtillot, but the MHSAA postgame story credited Nordstrom.) Dawson Kero stopped 20 of 22 shots, and turned in a couple of dramatic saves in the closing minutes to preserve the win.