MTU Ties UM in GLI Opener – Thursday Sports Wrap

High School

In high school hockey tonight…
• Jeffers welcomes Escanaba.

College Hockey

At the Great Lakes Invitational hockey event last night…
• 18th-ranked Michigan Tech and third-ranked University of Michigan skated to a scoreless tie. Blake Pietila made 30 saves for the Huskies. Erik Portillo stopped 27 shots for the Wolverines, who were missing four of their top six scorers who were competing at the World Junior Championships in Edmonton. Unfortunately, that tournament was called off in its third day yesterday, after multiple positive COVID-19 tests forced several game cancellations.
• In last night’s other GLI contest, Western Michigan University defeated Michigan State University 3-1.

Tonight…
• Tech skates at Michigan State. Faceoff is at 5:00.
• The University of Michigan has canceled its scheduled game against Western Michigan.

College Basketball

The Finlandia University women’s basketball game at Wisconsin-Superior scheduled for last night was postponed to January 6th. The Yellowjackets said the delay was brought about by “health and safety protocols.”

GLHL

The Portage Lake Pioneers and the Calumet Wolverines will close out the year with contests against each other tonight and tomorrow. Tonight’s game starts at 7:30 at the Colosseum. Tomorrow’s contest will face off at 6:30 at Dee Stadium.

NHL

The Detroit Red Wings’ game against the New York Islanders last night was postponed because of COVID-19 issues with both clubs. 

The Wings are scheduled to entertain the Washington Capitals tomorrow. Coverage will begin at 7:15 on 99.3 The Lift.

NBA

The Detroit Pistons lost 94-85 to the New York Knicks last night. Detroit began the game with just four of their regular 15 players available, because of COVID-19 protocol and other injuries. One of those four, Frank Jackson, left the game in the first half with an ankle injury. Still, the patchwork collection made up mostly of players from their minor league Motor City Cruise team held a seven-point lead after three quarters, before tiring down the stretch. Saddiq Bey scored a career-best 32 points for Detroit, and Hamidou Diallo added a season-high 31 points with 13 rebounds.

The Pistons host the San Antonio Spurs Saturday. Coverage will begin at 6:35 on 99.3 The Lift.

NFL

There is no Thursday NFL game this week, but please have your picks in The Wolf Pro Football Challenge turned in by noon today at one of our sponsors.

Detroit Lions running back D’Andre Swift is set to return to the lineup in Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. Quarterback Jared Goff remains questionable. He has cleared COVID-19 protocol, but missed practice yesterday because of the knee strain he suffered in Detroit’s win over Arizona December 19th.

The Green Bay Packers made 10 roster moves yesterday. Cornerback Jaire Alexander was activated from injured reserve. Five players were added to the COVID-19 list, including punter Corey Bojorquez. Green Bay now has 17 players on the COVID list.

Local Sports Broadcasts

• Tuesday – girls basketball – Houghton at Iron Mountain – coverage begins around 7:00 on the Voice of the Gremlins, 97.7 The Wolf.

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