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Pioneers to Face Bombers for GLHL Title
The Portage Lake Pioneers will take on the West Bend Bombers for the Great Lakes Hockey League tournament title this afternoon at Dee Stadium.
The Pioneers advanced to the championship game with a 6-1 victory over their Keweenaw Peninsula rivals, the Calumet Copper Kings, in the semifinals Saturday night. Portage Lake took a 1-0 lead after the first period, and increased it to 3-0 after the second. Calumet scored on a power play early in the third period, but Jay Pietila responded with two goals to insure the victory for the Pioneers.
The Pioneers reached the semifinals by outpointing the Fond du Lac Bears 5-4 in double overtime earlier in the day. Jay Pietila had two goals in the game, and assisted on brother Ted’s game-winner in the second extra period. Bears’ goalie Randy Willis made 59 saves to keep the Bears in the game.
The overtime effort earned Fond du Lac the wild card berth in last night’s other semifinal. They lost to the Bombers 6-4.
Today’s championship game will feature the top two teams for the regular season. West Bend and Portage Lake finished with identical records, and split their season series. The Bombers were awarded the regular-season title based on the total goals scored in head-to-head competition. Face-off is at 1:30 at Dee Stadium. Our coverage will begin around 1:15 on KBear 102.3 and KBear102.com.
In other games on Saturday, the Bombers defeated the Eagle River Falcons 7-2. The Fox Cities Ice Dogs edged the Mosinee Papermakers 3-2.
On Friday, the Calumet Wolverines became the first team to advance to the GLHL tournament semi-finals with victories in both of their games at Dee Stadium.
In the first game, the Wolverines let a first period lead slip away, then scored six consecutive goals on the way to an 8-2 win over the Fox Cities Ice Dogs. Jeff Erkkila and Eric Mattila both scored twice for Calumet, and Ryan Patrick made 30 saves.
In their second game, the Wolverines got three goals and two assists from Alex Van Wagner, and upset the top-seeded Mosinee Papermakers 6-3. Logan Rastello scored twice for Calumet.
The Portage Lake Pioneers opened the tournament with a 7-3 victory over the Monroe Blues Friday. Jay Pietila led the scoring with two goals and two assists. Peter Rouleau also scored twice. The Pioneers outshot the Blues 54-11.
In other games Friday, the Eagle River Falcons defeated the DePere Deacons 11-4. The Fond du Lac Bears blasted the Monroe Blues 9-1. The West Bend Bombers blanked Depere 12-0.
Finlandia
The Finlandia baseball team dropped two games at Cardinal Stritch University on Saturday, 13-0 and 2-1. The Lions play two more at Cardinal Stritch today.
The Finlandia University softball team plays two at Wisconsin-River Falls today.
NHL – Red Wings Blank Lightning
Petr Mrazek made 23 saves, as the Detroit Red Wings shut out the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-0 Saturday afternoon. Detroit broke the game open with three goals in the second period. The Wings visit the Islanders this evening. Face-off is at 5:00 on AM 1400 and FM 99.3 WCCY.
NBA – Pistons Play at Miami
The Detroit Pistons will play at Miami this evening.
MLB
Miguel Cabrera and Alex Avila homered, as the Detroit Tigers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 Saturday afternoon. Shane Greene gave up all three St. Louis runs over five innings. The Tigers face the Phillies this afternoon. Anibal Sanchez will start.
Wily Peralta went six strong innings, as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Cleveland Indians 3-2 on Saturday. Ryan Braun drove in two runs with a double and a single. The Brewers will play the Athletics this afternoon. Michael Blazek will start. He’s emerged as a candidate for the Milwaukee bullpen.
Our coverage of the NCAA Men’s Division One basketball tournament continues on AM 1400 and FM 99.3 WCCY.
To make sure your team’s scores are included in morning sports, send them to mornings@up.net.
