Houghton, Jeffers Open Hockey Seasons with Wins; Hancock Ties – Saturday Sports Wrap

High School

In high school hockey season last night…
• Houghton opened its season with a 6-0 victory over Escanaba. Camden Markham had a hat trick plus two assists. Gaborik Carlson logged four straight assists, and Connor Raffaelli a goal and two assists. Troy Povich made 18 saves to earn the shutout in his first varsity game.
• Jeffers blanked Cheboygan 4-0.
• Hancock skated to a 3-3 tie at De Pere.

Hancock plays at Ashwaubenon this afternoon.

College Hockey

The Michigan Tech hockey team took control early, and edged 20th-ranked Bemidji State 4-3 last evening. After giving up an early goal, Tech scored three straight, then held off the Beavers down the stretch. Tristan Ashbrook led the Huskies with two goals and an assist. Blake Pietila made 22 saves. Those teams skate in Bemidji again tonight.

The Northern Michigan hockey squad used three third-period goals to bury Ferris State 6-3 last night. Those teams meet again this evening in Big Rapids.

Both Finlandia hockey teams lost to Saint Norbert yesterday…
• The women fell 3-1. Abby Dawson netted the Lions’ only goal. Laney Pasemko made 20 saves.
• The men lost 9-1. Sheldon Brett scored for Finlandia. Marcus Gloss started, and gave up five goals. Connor Duffy replaced him early in the second period, and allowed four.

Those teams play again at the Houghton County Arena. The women face off at 1:00, and the men at 4:00. 

College Volleyball

The Michigan Tech volleyball team will face Davenport University in the GLIAC tournament semifinals this afternoon. As the top seed, Tech is hosting the championship tournament this weekend. Ferris State and Wayne State will meet in the first semifinal at noon. The Huskies will play the Panthers at 2:30. The championship game will be played at the SDC tomorrow.

College Basketball

The Michigan Tech women’s basketball outscored Minnesota-Crookston 65-57 last night. The Huskies built an 11-point halftime lead. The Golden Eagles clawed their way back in the third period, but three-pointers by Ellie Mackay and Clara Johnson reestablished the Huskies’ lead, and Mackay hit some late free throws to seal the win. Mackay finished with 17 points, and passed the 1,000 career point mark. Katelyn Meister led Tech with 19.

The Huskies host Minnesota-Duluth today at 5:30.

The Tech men’s team plays at Minnesota-Crookston today.

The Northern Michigan women’s basketball team plays at Concordia-Saint Paul today. The men’s team hosts Concordia-Wisconsin tomorrow.

The Finlandia men’s basketball team opened play at the MBI Big Four tournament at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago last night with an 85-71 loss to Asbury University. Rae’quan Funches scored 25 for the Lions, who will face the host Archers this afternoon. The tournament schedule had to be changed when Fontbonne University dropped out after a COVID-19 diagnosis.

The Finlandia women’s team lost to the host Dutchmen 94-56 in their opening game at the Hope Tournament in Holland last night. Bailey Froberg scored 12 for the Lions, who will play Olivet College this afternoon.

College Football

Northern Michigan University linebacker Will Borchert has been named Freshman of the Year in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The All-Conference first teams announced yesterday include Tech linemen Samuel Kinne and Nate Lajoie on defense, along with Borchert and defensive back Brady Hanson from NMU. See the full rosters here.

NHL

The Detroit Red Wings visit the Arizona Coyotes tonight. Coverage will begin at 7:45 on 99.3 The Lift. After leaving Thursday’s game after he was hit in the leg with a shot, Moritz Seider worked out yesterday, and will be on the ice tonight.

NBA

A furious Pistons comeback fell just short, as Detroit lost 105-102 to the Golden State Warriors last night. Frank Jackson came off the bench to score 27 for Detroit, but he and Jerami Grant each missed three-pointers that would have tied the game in the closing seconds.

The Pistons host the Los Angeles Lakers tomorrow.

NFL

Tomorrow…
• The Detroit Lions visit the Cleveland Browns for a 1:00 game. Hear the broadcast on 99.3 The Lift. Quarterback Jared Goff sat out practice again yesterday, as he deals with an oblique injury. Tim Boyle again worked out with the first team. He has been activated from the injured list, and seems increasingly likely to make his first NFL start.
• The Green Bay Packers visit the Minnesota Vikings for a 1:00 contest.

MLB

The Detroit Tigers have said “goodbye” to utility player Niko Goodrum. Goodrum was removed from their 40-man roster yesterday. He cleared waivers, and elected to become a free agent. Detroit also removed outfielder Jacob Robson and pitcher Nivaldo Rodriguez, and assigned them to Toledo. Infielder Kody Clemens and reliever Angel De Jesus were added to the 40-man roster, which means they are protected in the upcoming Rule Five draft.

Upcoming Local Sports Broadcasts

• Tuesday – High school hockey – Marquette at Houghton – 6:10 pregame on the Voice of the Gremlins, 97.7 The Wolf.
• Friday and Saturday – High school hockey – Hancock at Calumet – 6:40 pregame each night on the Voice of the Copper Kings, KBear 102.3.

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