Tech Hockey Shades NMU in OT – Saturday Sports Wrap

High School

Lake Linden-Hubbell linebacker Isaac Codere has been named to this year’s Upper Peninsula high school football 8-player Dream Team. In voting by members of the U.P. Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association, Lakes running back Caleb Klein and defensive end William Lyons were named to the First Team. Ben Tampas and Brandon Lavigne from Lake Linden received Honorable Mention votes, along with Jaden Borseth from Ontonagon.

The three remaining fall high school sports tournaments will be completed. The slight relaxation of the pandemic rules announced Friday by Governor Gretchen Whitmer will maintain the mortarium on most winter sports until at least mid-January.

Competitors remaining in the three incomplete fall tournaments will become part of a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services pilot rapid testing program. If that program is successful, it could be expanded across the state to facilitate resumption of all high school sports.

The only Copper Country team still involved in the fall playoffs is the Calumet volleyball squad. Practices can resume Monday. The quarterfinals are now scheduled for January 5th, with the Copper Kings taking on Beaverton. The game was originally scheduled to be played at Houghton Lake High School. It’s not known yet if that will be changed. The semifinals and final are now set for January 7th through 9th at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek.

The football tournament will resume January 2nd, with regional finals for 11-player teams, and semifinals for eight-player squads. Locations for the football finals will be announced soon.

The third incomplete fall tournament is Lower Peninsula girls swimming and diving.

The tentative start date for most winter sports has been pushed back to January 16th. Skiing will be allowed to proceed, because of the ability for competitors to remain distanced. Michigan High School Athletic Association officials say they still plan to begin spring sports on schedule.

MTU

Brian Halonen’s goal three minutes into overtime gave the Michigan Tech hockey team a 4-3 nonconference victory over Northern Michigan University last night. The Huskies opened a 3-1 lead over the first two periods, with goals by Tommy Parrottino, Carson Bantle and Trenton Bliss. AJ Vanderbeck of the Wildcats forced the extra period when he tipped in a puck that had glanced off an official with eight seconds remaining in regulation.

Blake Pietila made 31 saves for Tech. Nolan Kent stopped 30 shots for Northern.

Those teams face off again tonight in Marquette.

With Alaska-Anchorage and Alaska-Fairbanks opting out of the upcoming Western Collegiate Hockey Association season, some schedule adjustments have been made. Michigan Tech will add a non-conference series at Alabama-Huntsville February 5th and 6th, and will host Ferris State in a non-conference set February 12th and 13th. That means the Huskies will be out of town for Winter Carnival. The Ferris State games the following week will be designated as the Winter Carnival series.

Northern Michigan has added non-conference sets at home against Lake Superior State January 8th and 9th, and at Bowling Green January 15th and 16th. The conference game against LSSU that was postponed December 2nd will be made up February 6th.

NBA

The Detroit Pistons conclude their exhibition schedule tonight against the Wizards in Washington. 

Detroit opens the regular NBA season Wednesday at Minnesota. Listen for select Pistons broadcasts on 99.3 The Lift.

NHL

The National Hockey League and its players have reached a tentative deal for the coming season. Final approval is still needed from both sides, and Canadian health officials. If it flies, a 56-game schedule would begin January 13th. Training camps would open New Year’s weekend.

Listen for Red Wings broadcasts again this year on 99.3 The Lift.

MLB

The Milwaukee Brewers have signed left-handed reliever Hoby Milner and outfielder Dylan Cozens to Minor League contracts with invitations to big league camp. Milner is a soft-tosser who has made appearances with the the Phillies, Rays and Angels. Couzens hits for power, but not for average, and has made a few appearances with the Rays.

NFL

There are two NFL games today. The Bills visit the Broncos at 4:30, and the Packers host the Panthers at 8:15. Hear both contests on 99.3 The Lift.

The Lions visit the Titans for a 1:00 Sunday afternoon game on 99.3 The Lift.

Center Frank Ragnow will not play for Detroit tomorrow. He broke a bone in his throat during last week’s loss to Green Bay. Quarterback Matthew Stafford remains questionable, with a rib cartilage injury and an aching thumb.

The Giants host the Browns in the Sunday night game. The Bengals welcome the Steelers Monday night. Hear both broadcasts on 99.3 The Lift.

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