Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
Click on the bold scores for additional details.
GLHL
The Portage Lake Pioneers pounded the Calumet Wolverines 10-1 in pool play at the Great Lakes Hockey League tournament in De Pere Friday night. Connor Hannon gave the Pioneers an early lead when he scored the first of his three goals just two minutes into the game. Jay Pietila scored twice in the second period as Portage increased the lead to 4-1. The Pioneers broke it open with six goals in an eight-minute span in the third period. Portage outshot Calumet 40-23.
Earlier in the day, the Pioneers lost to the Fox Cities Ice Dogs 4-2. Pietila had a goal and an assist.
Pool play wraps up this afternoon, as the Wolverines face the Ice Dogs. Our pregame coverage will begin around 11:45 on KBear 102.3 and KBear102.com.
The winners of the three tournament pools advance to the finals, along with one wild card team. The Pioneers would win their pool if the Wolverines defeat Fox Cities today. If that happens, they’ll play in the first semifinal game this evening at 7:00. The Ice Dogs would advance to that game with a victory over Calumet. With a +7 goal differential in their two games, the Pioneers would still be in a strong position to claim the wild card berth. If that happens, they’ll play in the second semifinal game tonight at 9:30. The Wolverines would need to win today’s game by at least 18 points to have a chance at the wild card spot.
NHL
The Detroit Red Wings kept their playoff hopes alive Friday night, with a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild. Riley Sheahan had a goal and an assist, and Jimmy Howard made 20 saves. The win lifted Detroit back into a tie with Philadelphia for the final Eastern Conference wild card playoff spot. The Flyers still hold the advantage, however, because they have six more regular-season games to play, and Detroit has just four. The Wings remain one point behind the Bruins in the race for the third guaranteed Atlantic Division playoff spot. Boston also has four regular-season games remaining. The Wings skate at Toronto tonight.
NBA
The Detroit Pistons’ playoff hopes took a hit with a 98-89 loss to the Dallas Mavericks Friday evening. The Mavericks held the Pistons to just 11 points in the second quarter. Marcus Morris led Detroit with a season-best 29 points. Chicago and Indiana were idle, so Detroit remains in seventh place in the Eastern Conference – a half game ahead of Indiana, and one-and-a-half up on Chicago. The top eight teams make the playoffs.
Finlandia
The Finlandia University softball games at Maranatha University, and the Lions’ baseball games at Lakeland College, have been postponed because of the weather.
MTU
The Michigan Tech men’s tennis team entertains Findlay this morning, and Hillsdale tomorrow morning.
NCAA
The semifinals of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament will be played tonight. Villanova faces Oklahoma at 6:09, and North Carolina takes on Syracuse at 8:49. Our coverage will begin at 4:30 this afternoon on AM 1400 and FM 99.3, WCCY.
The women’s Division I semifinals will be played tomorrow night. Connecticut meets Oregon State at 6:00, and Syracuse faces Washington at 8:30. Our coverage will begin at 6:00 on AM 1400 and FM 99.3, WCCY.
MLB
In spring training baseball Friday, the Detroit Tigers scored five runs in the fourth inning, and defeated a Tampa Bay Rays split squad 9-4. Anthony Gose and Nick Castellanos homered. Starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez gave up four runs on seven hits before leaving with two outs in the fifth inning. After the game, he said he felt “100 percent healthy,” after dealing with a virus and an inflamed triceps last month. The Tigers wrap up their Grapefruit League season with a game against Atlanta this afternoon. Hear the broadcast at 1:00 on AM 1400 and FM 99.3, WCCY. Detroit opens the regular season Tuesday at Miami.
The Tigers have released first baseman John Mayberry, Jr. Mayberry was in camp on a minor-league deal, hoping to catch on as a backup to Miguel Cabrera. Instead, Casey McGehee will fill that role, and open the season at Toledo.
Reliever Logan Kensing became the final player to secure a spot on the opening day roster Friday, when Detroit assigned pitcher Lendy Castillo to minor league camp. Six of the players who were anticipated to open the season with the Tigers are on the disabled list, including relievers Blaine Hardy and Alex Wilson.
The Milwaukee Brewers concluded their Cactus League schedule with a 4-2 loss to the Houston Astros Friday. Starter Matt Garza gave up one run before leaving the game in the fourth inning with a sore shoulder. He’s considered day-to-day. Domingo Santana homered for Milwaukee. The Brewers will play an exhibition against their Double-A minor league team, the Biloxi Shuckers, in Biloxi today. Milwaukee begins the regular season Monday at home against the Giants.
NFL
The Detroit Lions have signed running back Stevan Ridley to a one-year contract. Ridley gained 1,263 yards with the Patriots in 2012. He saw limited playing time with the Jets last season, as he recovered from ACL surgery.
Email scores and sports news to mornings@up.net.
