ALPENA---Levi Wunder scored two goals, including an empty-netter, to lead the Escanaba Eskymos to a 3-0 win over the Alpena Wildcats Saturday afternoon in Alpena.
Steve Wood also scored for Escanaba, and goaltender Nick LeMire made 17 saves for a shutout. LeMire also stopped a penalty shot during the first period.
The game was scoreless until Wunder took a pass from Calvin Pinar and poked it past Wildcat goaltender Jesse Boiloure.
That was 4:32 into the second period.
Escanaba's lead grew to 2-0 at the 11:03 mark. Wood, who also assisted on that first goal, did most of the work on the second goal himself.
He stole the puck in the corner, did a nice toe-drag by the defenseman, and then deked the Boiloure for a pretty goal. The Eskymos had a 2-0 lead, but got into deep penalty trouble.
Late in the second period, Nick Aird and Wood both took penalties, but the Eskymos killed it off. But at the end of the period, Pinar went in for cross-checking and Quintin McCarthy was whistled for tripping.
So, the third period began with the Eskymos down on a 5-on-3 for 1:01. The Wildcats (2-3) got very little offensive pressure on during that power play, however, so the score remained 2-0.
Moments later, McCarthy took an interference penalty, so the penalty-killers were back in action. In particular, T.J. Myrick, who almost singlehandedly killed that penalty.
Things got worse later in the period when McCarthy was called for an intent-to-injure major penalty...and it happened while the Eskymos were on a power play because Wood had been sent head-first into the boards on a check-from-behind.
After a brief period of 4-on-4 hockey, the Wildcats had the power play for 4:14. And on a major penalty, you can score repeatedly without your opponent regaining full strength.
But Alpena barely got a sniff as the Eskymos played strong defense and actually got a few scoring chances while shorthanded.
Eventually, Wunder scored an empty-net, shorthanded goal, to make it 3-0.
Escanaba outshot Alpena, 36-17. LeMire got his first shutout of the season, and he stopped Alpena's Jared Plume on a penalty shot during the first period.
The Eskymos (2-1) will have their home opener Tuesday night against the Marquette Redmen. Game time is 7:00. The game will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600), and on-line at www.rrnsports.com.
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos taken by Todd Myrick, videos taken by Mary Gauthier, and to listen to radio replays and interviews.
Steve Wood also scored for Escanaba, and goaltender Nick LeMire made 17 saves for a shutout. LeMire also stopped a penalty shot during the first period.
Sophomore Blaine Borman had an assist.
That was 4:32 into the second period.
Escanaba's lead grew to 2-0 at the 11:03 mark. Wood, who also assisted on that first goal, did most of the work on the second goal himself.
He stole the puck in the corner, did a nice toe-drag by the defenseman, and then deked the Boiloure for a pretty goal. The Eskymos had a 2-0 lead, but got into deep penalty trouble.
Late in the second period, Nick Aird and Wood both took penalties, but the Eskymos killed it off. But at the end of the period, Pinar went in for cross-checking and Quintin McCarthy was whistled for tripping.
Steve Wood goal gives Eskymos a 2-0 lead.
Moments later, McCarthy took an interference penalty, so the penalty-killers were back in action. In particular, T.J. Myrick, who almost singlehandedly killed that penalty.
Jeff Lyle was the #2 star on Saturday.
After a brief period of 4-on-4 hockey, the Wildcats had the power play for 4:14. And on a major penalty, you can score repeatedly without your opponent regaining full strength.
But Alpena barely got a sniff as the Eskymos played strong defense and actually got a few scoring chances while shorthanded.
Eventually, Wunder scored an empty-net, shorthanded goal, to make it 3-0.
Escanaba outshot Alpena, 36-17. LeMire got his first shutout of the season, and he stopped Alpena's Jared Plume on a penalty shot during the first period.
T.J. Myrick post-game interview.
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos taken by Todd Myrick, videos taken by Mary Gauthier, and to listen to radio replays and interviews.
Eskymo freshman Chris LeMire (8) closes in on Alpena goaltender Jesse Boilore. (Todd Myrick photo)
