Morning Sports for Sunday, April 6th

Follow the links for more story details.

The Keweenaw Storm girls’ hockey team will play for a national title this afternoon.. after winning their quarterfinal and semifinal games yesterday. The quarterfinal game provided the first real test of the tournament… as the Storm edged Colorado Springs 2-1 in double overtime. Jessica Schlaff’s goal in the second extra period was the game-winner. Schlaff also assisted on Madison Labyak’s goal in the second period. Stephanie King earned the win in goal. The Storm outshot the Tigers 49-15.

In the semifinal last evening, the Storm got off to a quick start, and buried the Buffalo Stars 8-3. Selena Stromer and Alana Herne each scored twice. Mackenzie Hietala, Chelsea Jacques, Alexis Pyykkonen, Megan Yeo, Kenna Farrey, Jordan Roetzer and Jessica Schlaff each had single goals. Stephanie King again earned the win in goal, as the Storm outshot the Stars 42-18.

The Storm will face Cape Cod in the title game this afternoon at noon.

The Portage Lake Pioneers lost to the Fond du Lac Bears 5-3 in the semifinals of the G-L-H-L tournament Saturday night. The Pioneers opened pool play in the Friday afternoon with a 9-2 victory over De Pere. The Calumet Wolverines defeated De Pere 5-1 Friday night. The Pioneers then defeated the Wolverines 6-2 Saturday morning to advance to the semifinals.

In the N-H-L Saturday night… the Red Wings scored three goals in the third period to take the lead… only to see the Canadiens tally two late goals to win the game, 5-3. Luke Glendening scored his first career goal for Detroit, and Pavel Datsyuk scored his first goal since returning from a knee injury. The Wings have four games remaining in the final week of the regular season… starting Tuesday night at Buffalo. Faceoff is at 7:00 on AM 1400, WCCY.

In baseball Saturday… the Tigers built a big early lead… then hung on for a 7-6 victory over the Orioles. Detroit entered the ninth with a 7-1 lead… thanks to a strong start by Rick Porcello, and a home run and five rbi from Torii Hunter. Phil Coke, Al Alburquerque and Joe Nathan gave up five runs in the ninth, before Nathan finally closed the door with the tying run on base. The Tigers wrap up their home series against the Orioles this afternoon. Justin Verlander will start against Chris Tillman. Hear the first pitch at 1:08 on AM 1400, WCCY.

Logan Schafer’s rbi double in the top of the 11th inning lifted the Brewers to a 7-6 victory over the Red Sox. Most of the scoring came early… Milwaukee was up 6-5 at the end of the third inning. The Brewers finish their interleague set in Boston this afternoon. Yovani Gallardo will pitch against Jon Lester.

Ryan Braun missed Saturday’s game because of a nerve issue in his thumb. The problem bothered him last season, as well. Doctors have examined the injury, and say there’s no quick fix – and even surgery might be ineffective.

The Finlandia softball doubleheader at Adrian College Friday afternoon was postponed because of poor field conditions. The Lions lost both ends of a doubleheader against Calvin College on Saturday… 8-3 and 9-5. The doubleheader scheduled at Albion College today has been canceled.

The Finlandia baseball team split a doubleheader at the Illinois Institute of Technology on Saturday. In the first game, Chris Saari threw a three-hitter, as the Lions claimed a 3-0 victory. In the nightcap, the Scarlet Hawks scored twice in the fifth to take a 2-1 win. The Lions will play two more at Illinois Tech today.

In the N-B-A Saturday night… the Pistons used a strong fourth quarter to defeat the Celtics 115-111. Rodney Stuckey scored 26 points off the bench, as Detroit overcame a 19-point deficit. Andre Drummond grabbed 20 rebounds… and became the first player since 2000 to collect more than 400 in a season. The Pistons play at Atlanta Tuesday night.

The Michigan Tech men’s tennis team lost 7-2 at Lake Superior State Saturday.

To make sure your team’s scores are included in morning sports, send them to mornings@up.net.