MTU Hockey Called Off, Hoops to Debut – Friday Sports Wrap

College Hockey

There will be no Michigan Tech hockey this weekend. The scheduled series at Minnesota State has been postponed because of positive COVID-19 tests within the Huskies program. No make-up date has been announced.

The Northern Michigan University hockey team will entertain Lake Superior State University tonight and tomorrow night.

College Basketball

Tech basketball will make its season debut this weekend, although not quite as originally scheduled. The women’s team will play at Purdue Northwest tonight and tomorrow afternoon. The men’s home contests against Purdue Northwest have been postponed to tomorrow afternoon and Sunday afternoon.

The NMU basketball teams will open their seasons against Wisconsin-Parkside. The men’s games will be at home tomorrow afternoon and Sunday afternoon. The women’s contests will be in Kenosha tomorrow evening and Sunday afternoon.

The Finlandia University men’s basketball team has added a new player. Devante Zackery averaged 15 points per game and was voted defensive player of the year at Franklin High School in Stockton, California.

College Volleyball

The MTU volleyball team has introduced two new recruits. Riley Stichter played at Osseo High School in Minnesota. Ashley L’Esperance is from Brighton, and is the sister of former Tech hockey players Alan and Joel L’Esperance.

NBA

The Detroit Pistons host the Phoenix Suns tonight. Coverage begins at 6:35 on 99.3 The Lift.

The Philadelphia 76ers have placed their entire team in quarantine after a positive COVID-19 test. The test result was apparently received while the team was playing against the Brooklyn Nets. The positive player was removed, and the game was completed. The 76ers are scheduled to play the Memphis Grizzlies tonight.

NFL

The NFL playoffs begin this weekend with the Wild Card Round.

Tomorrow, the Buffalo Bills host the Indianapolis Colts at 1:05, the Los Angeles Rams visit the Seattle Seahawks at 4:40, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play at Washington at 8:15.

Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens visit the Tennessee Titans at 1:05, the New Orleans Saints entertain the Chicago Bears at 4:40, and Cleveland Browns visit the Pittsburgh Steelers at 8:15. That game is still on the schedule, even though the Browns have had to cancel practices this week because of multiple COVID-19 positives.

Hear all six games on 99.3 The Lift.

There will be some fans in the stands when the Green Bay Packers begin their playoff run next week. Selected season ticket holders will be admitted, with face coverings required.

MLB

The Detroit Tigers have signed veteran left-hander Miguel Del Pozo to a minor-league contract. Del Pozo has made major league appearances for the Los Angeles Angels and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jhoulys Chacín has signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees. Chacín saw limited action with the Atlanta Braves last season.

Skiing

The chair lift at the Porcupine Mountain Ski Area has been shut down for inspection. Officials hope to be able to bring it back into service sometime next week. The ski area remains open for activities that do not require the lift.

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