Gremlins Sweep Wing Ding – Saturday Sports Wrap

High School

Houghton swept Hancock in Friday night’s Wing Ding games.
• The Gremlins boys basketball team outpointed the Bulldogs 47-39.
• Hancock drew first blood in the hockey game, but Houghton came back to take a 4-3 victory. Chad Nordstrom opened the scoring with a power play goal for the Bulldogs. Sully Rajala responded for the Gremlins, but Austin Salani’s power play tally gave Hancock a 2-1 lead after one period. Houghton took the lead with goals by Nathan Erva and Brendan Miller in the second stanza. After Hancock’s Cole Stuber tied the game in the third period, Matthew Rowe’s power play goal with less than three minutes remaining won it for the Gremlins. Jimmy Pietila made 43 saves for Houghton, and earned the win.

In other hockey action last night…
• Calumet pounded Escanaba 8-1. Dean Loukus had a goal, and tied a Copper Kings record with six assists.

On the hockey schedule today…
• Calumet entertains Negaunee – coverage begins at 3:40 on KBear 102.3 and KBear102.com.
• Hancock visits Jeffers for a 4:00 game.

In other boys basketball action last night…
• Calumet lost at West Iron County 48-34. Justin Nelson scored 33 for the Wykons.
• Ewen-Trout Creek stopped Chassell 86-50. Ewen’s Jaden Borseth scored 36.

In girls basketball last night…
• Ewen-Trout Creek downed Chassell 66-45. Elise Besonen scored 31 for Ewen, and Abbie LeGault added 22. Maelene Warren and Ally Etelamaki each scored 11 for Chassell.

On today’s basketball schedule…
• The Houghton girls host Jeffers at noon.
• Dollar Bay-Tamarack City plays a doubleheader at Lake Linden-Hubbell, with the girls game starting at 1:30, and the boys game immediately following.

In high school swimming today…
• Houghton and Marquette compete in a triangular meet at Sault Ste. Marie.

College Hockey

The Michigan Tech hockey team opened the delayed Winter Carnival series with a 3-0 whitewash of Ferris State University last night. Jake Crespi, Alec Broetzman and Tommy Parrottino scored for the Huskies. Blake Pietila earned the shutout in net, as Tech outshot the Bulldogs 40-12. Those teams face off again tonight at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

The Northern Michigan University hockey team scored four goals in the third period, and stunned 17th-ranked Bemidji State University 5-1 last evening. Those teams meet again tonight in Minnesota. 

The Finlandia University men’s hockey team skates at Concordia-Wisconsin today.

College Basketball

The Michigan Tech women’s basketball team got off to a fast start, and cruised past Davenport University 80-58 yesterday. Alex Rondorf drained six three-pointers, and led a balanced Huskies attack with 18 points. The Huskies have won nine straight. Those teams meet again this afternoon in Houghton.

The Tech men’s team couldn’t overcome a slow start, and fell to Davenport 73-58 yesterday. Owen White led the Huskies with 22. Those teams play again this afternoon in Grand Rapids.

The NMU men’s basketball team lost at Grand Valley State 81-75 yesterday. Those teams play again this afternoon.

The Northern women host GVSU for games today and tomorrow.

The Finlandia University men’s basketball team will play at Iowa Wesleyan University this afternoon. Their scheduled game at Nebraska Wesleyan University tomorrow has been called off, and replaced with a game at Coe College.

College Soccer

The Finlandia soccer team has added a new recruit. Logan Dowling was the team MVP at Westerville North High School in the Columbus, Ohio area.

NHL

The Detroit Red Wings skate at Nashville tonight. Coverage begins at 7:45 on 99.3 The Lift.

NBA

Saddiq Bey exploded for 30 points last night, as the Detroit Pistons defeated the Boston Celtics 108-102. Bey became the first Detroit rookie to reach 30 since Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in 2014. He also snared 12 rebounds.

The Pistons host the New Orleans Pelicans tomorrow. Coverage starts at 6:35 on 99.3 The Lift.

MLB

Travis Demeritte is no longer a Detroit Tiger. Demeritte was designated for assignment to make room on the roster after Detroit signed Jonathan Schoop. He was claimed by his former team, the Atlanta Braves.

Detroit has also designated pitcher John Schreiber for assignment. That creates room for newly-signed outfielder Nomar Mazara.

The Tigers have finalized their Grapefruit League schedule. Competition will begin February 28th against the Philadelphia Phillies. Listen for Detroit Tigers games again this season on 99.3 The Lift.

Major League Baseball announced a dramatic restructuring of Minor League Baseball yesterday. The traditional leagues that made up the minors for more than a century are gone. Instead, each level will contain geographic divisions, with many affiliations being changed to place minor league teams closer to their major league partners. The Toledo Mud Hens will remain as Detroit’s top minor league club, and will play in the Midwest Division of the Triple-A East. The Brewers’ top affiliate, the Nashville Sounds, will play in the Triple A East Southeast Division.

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