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2-1: Eskymos Lose Another One-Goal Hockey Game
 HOUGHTON---So close, yet so far away. That's the way it continues to be for the Escanaba High School hockey team, as the boys lost another heartbreaker on Saturday in the Copper Country, 2-1, to Houghton. The Gremlins scored twice in the third period to erase a 1-0 deficit and hand the Eskymos their fourth loss in five games.  "They followed the game plan and I thought our work ethic was there 100 percent," Escanaba Coach Matt Hughes said. "We just talked about two things (after the game): one, we need to cut down on turnovers in the 'D' zone and the neutral zone." "Two, we need to capitalize on our chances. If we're going to win hockey games, we're going to have to score more than one goa. And we're going to have to cash in when we get a chance in the slot, odd-man rushes, and things like that." Escanaba scored first as Colton Hayes tallied on the power play 9:20 into the hockey game, and it stayed that way through the second period, with the Eskymos working hard to kill off a five-minute Houghton power play with Grant Wickham in the box. From there, it stayed 1-0 largely because of the play of Gremlins goaltender Will Stier. His best work of the night came with 23 seconds left in the second period, when Escanaba senior Garth Wickham made a pinpoint pass from the corner to fellow senior Chris LeMire right in front. Stier stopped LeMire's shot from point-blank range. Then early in the third period, it was bad luck for Escanaba on the first shift when Jacob Kruse's shot hurt Parker LaMarch, sending the senior limping toward the bench. The puck ricoched to Taavi Rajala, who made a move, walked in on goal, and scored. Then, four minutes later, Eskymo sophomore Joey Jacobson was called for tripping. The Eskymos killed off all but eleven seconds of the penalty before Houghton got the go-ahead power play goal as Casey Lentowich scored short-side on goaltender Brodie Goddard, bouncing it off of his skate and pad as the junior goalie hugged the post. The Eskymos really didn't test Stier the rest of the way, and they lost a key face-off with Goddard pulled for an extra attacker with 40 seconds left in the game. Escanaba outshot Houghton, 22-19. In the junior varsity game, it was a 1-1 tie entering the third period, before Houghton scored four goals on goaltender Trevor Denome. Houghton's JVs won, 5-2. Escanaba hosts Negaunee Monday night at 7:00. The game will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (NewsTalk 600), and on-line at www.rrnsports.com. Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos taken by Sandi Young, photos of the JV game, and a video of Hayes' goal. Also, interviews with Kyle Egner and Matt Hughes.  |
