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High School
Hancock won its first MacInnes Holiday Classic title since 2006, defeating Houghton 4-3 in the championship game last night. Ted Randell opened the scoring for the Bulldogs, who took a 2-1 lead at the end of the first period. The teams swapped goals in the second and third periods. Randell’s second tally of the night was the game-winner. Dawson Kero made 20 saves to earn the win. Will Stier stopped 32 shots for the Gremlins.
In the consolation game, Calumet scored four quick goals in the opening minutes of the third period, and buried Howell 7-3. Rory Anderson and Sam Erkkila each scored twice for the Copper Kings.
Dawson Kero was named the the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. The All-Tournament Team included Tanner Givens of Hancock and Trevor Johnson of Calumet on defense, joined by forwards Dawson McKay and Jacob Kruse of Houghton, and Calumet’s Rory Anderson.
In other high school hockey action, Cheboygan outscored L’Anse 8-6. Jeffers will host Cheboygan this afternoon at 2:00.
MTU
The Michigan Tech hockey team will face Western Michigan University in the Great Lakes Invitational championship game, after shutting out the University of Michigan 2-0 yesterday afternoon. Dane Birks scored the only goal the Huskies would need in the first period. It was his first goal of the season. Cliff Watson added an insurance tally in the second. Angus Redmond stopped 23 shots to earn his second career shutout.
In last night’s other semifinal, Western Michigan humbled Michigan State 4-1. The Wolverines and Spartans will play in the consolation match this afternoon at 3:30. The Huskies and Broncos will play for the title at 7:00 at Joe Louis Arena.
The MTU men’s basketball team entertains Kentucky Wesleyan tomorrow afternoon at 2:00.
NMU
The Northern Michigan University hockey team fell to Merrimack College 4-2 in the consolation game at the Florida Classic yesterday.
Finlandia
The Finlandia men’s basketball team lost a lopsided 88-35 decision to seventh-ranked St. Norbert at the Nicolet National Bank Holiday Tournament in Green Bay last night. The Green Knights scored the first eight points of the game, and the Lions never threatened. Freshman Geoff Smart led Finlandia with 21 points. The Lions will face the University of Northwestern in the consolation game this evening.
GLHL
The Portage Lake Pioneers visit the Calumet Wolverines for a New Year’s Eve contest at the Colosseum tomorrow night. The game will begin at 5:00.
NHL
Anthony Mantha’s goal in overtime lifted the Detroit Red Wings to a 3-2 victory over the Senators in Ottawa last night. Thomas Vanek and Tomas Tatar also scored for Detroit. Jared Coreau made 26 saves to earn the win, in a game played near his hometown, with his family in the stands. It was just the third win in the past nine games for the Wings, who skate at Toronto Sunday afternoon.
NBA
The Detroit Pistons travel to Atlanta to take on the Hawks tonight.
NFL
The NFL regular season wraps up Sunday. The Packers-Lions game at Detroit will decide who wins the NFC North Division title. The winner will host their first playoff game. The loser will need to rely on the New York Giants defeating Washington to get a wild card playoff berth. The game has been moved to Sunday night. Kickoff is at 8:30 on AM 1400 and FM 99.3, WCCY.
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