Recent Updates

 

I haven’t gotten around to doing a blog update since.. February 4th after the Cloquet boys hockey team beat Hermantown.. yikes.. time to get back to updating as stuff happens..

February was a hugely busy month, shooting hockey and basketball all month.  

Events shot since February 4th include:

February 19 Duluth East boys basketball played Hopkins

Esko Girls basketball game vs Eveleth GIlbert, on Esko’s senior night February 21

Duluth Central/Denfeld hockey quarterfinal win over Eveleth Gilbert at Heritage Center February 24

Section 7AA Hockey Semi-Finals at Amsoil Arena February 26, Duluth East and Grand Rapids each won

Northern Minnesota Girls all-star hockey, sponsored by K1 Sports in Cloquet, March 1st

Section 7AA Final between Duluth East and Grand Rapids, East wins in overtime

Girls 7AA Basketball semi-finals Braham & Esko Win at UMD

Duluth Marshall Boys Subsection 2 win over Greenway, March 9

Hopefully I can get back to updating as stuff happens, rather than skipping blog entries.  Updates are always available below on the Facebook page updates also.

Lumberjack Boys Hockey Beats Hermantown 7-5

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Other than the final outcome of Cloquet winning, this year's Cloquet/Hermantown hockey battle was the complete opposite of the 2009-10 overtime game that the Lumberjacks came out on top of 3-2 defensive battle at home.

The Lumberjacks built a big lead, then held on to beat Hermantown 7-5 in Hermantown, February 3, 2011. Karson Kuhlman scored twice in the first period, sandwiching a Hawks Jared Thomas goal, and Nolan Meyer finished the 'Jacks first period scoring to take a 3-1 lead to the first intermission.

Beau Michaud and Adam Hanson scored 1:12 apart (7:38-8:50) to give the 'Jacks a 5-1 lead that stood until Brian LeBlanc scored at 14:01 of the 2nd. Nolan Meyer added a second goal, just 44 seconds after the LeBlanc goal to rebuild the 4 goal Lumberjack lead.

Hermantown opened the third period scoring early at 1:35, when Grant Sega made the game 6-3. Kuhlman completed his hat trick at 7:35 of the period making the score 7-3. The 'Hawks Garrett Skrbich scored two goals, 56 seconds apart, getting behind the Cloquet defense at 13:38 and 14:34 of the period. Hermantown pulled goaltender Connor Lucas with 2 minutes left but couldn't get any closer, as the 'Jacks held on to win 7-5. Lucas stopped 25 of 32 Lumberjack shots, while John Scheuer stopped 19 of 24 Hermantown shots for the win.

Beau Michaud gets the puck past Connor Lucas

Karson Kuhlman

Lumberjack Girls Hockey Beats PHM Mirage 4-2

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The Lumberjacks continued their week long run of area 7AA opponents, with a 4-2 victory over the Proctor/Hermantown/Marshall Mirage at the CARC, January 24, 2011. The 'Jacks got down 1-0 just 20 seconds into the game, when the Mirage's Reilly Fawcett beat Lumberjack goaltender Katie Beckman. The 'Jacks tied the game just 3 minutes later when Kara Cresap tipped a Kaitlyn Miller shot past Mirage goaltender Anja Morris.

Cloquet took a 2-1 lead in the period, on a Caityn Lilly breakaway goal over Morris' glove side shoulder. The second period was scoreless, mostly thanks to the 'Jacks Beckman holding strong during a flurry of action in her zone.

The third period went scoreless the first 9:46, until Carley Esse carried the puck deep into the zone and buried a wrist shot under the cross bar for a 3-1 Cloquet lead. PHM's Justina Lindberg cut the lead to 1 goal at 12:49, but Lilly scored again, burying a rebound of an Emily Gustafson into an open net before Morris could recover.

Kara Cresap celebrates her goal vs the Mirage

Carley Esse loads up her shot for a goal

Cloquet Girls Shut Out Lightning

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Alyssa Acheson needed just one goal, an unassisted first period goal by Jessie Ryan, to defeat Section 7AA rival Grand Rapids/Greenway Lightning 1-0 at the CARC, January 20, 2011. Acheson stopped all 22 shots she faced in the shutout, while Lightning goaltender Sydney Helmbrecht was nearly as good, stopping 23 of 24.

Ryan's goal at 10:18 was a great individual effort, first putting a hard wrist shot on Helmbrecht, then burying the rebound into an open net with the GRG goaltender sprawled on the ice. Both teams penalty kill was superb, keeping each other scoreless on 3 powerplays.

Ryan fires the wrist shot that resulted in her rebound goal

Carley Esse works on a Lightning player in front of the Alyssa Acheson near the end of the game

UMD Men Shut Out Badgers

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The Bulldogs played their first official WCHA game, vs Wisconsin, at Amsoil Arena January 14, 2011 shutting out Wisconsin 2-0. UMD scored both their goals, on powerplays, in the first period. Justin Fontaine got UMD up 1-0 at 13:17 from David Grun and Mike Connolly, and Mike Connolly put the 'Dogs up 2-0 at 16:43 from Gun and Fontaine. Kenny Reiter, helped out by great defensive play by his team, got the shutout on 22 shots for UMD. Scott Gudmandson got the loss for the Badgers, stopped 25 of 27 shots he faced.

Mike Connolly loads up a wrist shot for his powerplay goal

Kenny Reiter stops Wisconsin’s Sean Dolan

Lumberjack Boys Hockey Beat Superior 4-3, In Overtime

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The Lumberjacks played at Amsoil Arena in Duluth for the first time January 13, 2011, taking on Superior, who was using the site for their home game while their Wessman Arena is under repairs.

Adam Hanson scored twice for the 'Jacks, and Beau Michaud added a goal in the second period. Cloquet had a 3-1 lead in the third period, and a powerplay, but gave up a short-handed goal with 2:40 left in the period, then the game tying goal with 12 seconds left on the clock to force overtime. Karson Kuhlman scored the game winner for the 'Jacks at 2:50 of overtime, picking up a loose puck in the Superior zone and coming in alone to bury the puck for the first CEC win in the short Amsoil Arena history.

Adam Hanson scored two for the ‘Jacks

Kuhlman brings the puck in on net in Overtime, as shocked Superior fans watch

Cloquet Hockey Downs Hibbing

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The Lumberjacks got down early against Hibbing, giving up a goal by Joe Anderson, just 47 seconds into the game. At 7:05 of the period a Nick DeCenzo powerplay goal made it 2-0 Hibbing, and Cloquet called their time out to regroup. The 'Jacks stormed back, at 16:11 of the period, Nolan Meyer scored his first of the game, then Jared Anderson scored just 44 seconds later to tie the game at 2.

The second period was a stalemate, until Meyer scored his second of the game at 16:44 to give the Jacks the lead into the second intermission.

Hibbing tied the game just 1:30 into the third period, on a second goal by Joe Anderson. With Cloquet on the powerplay, Chaise Jokinen got feed from Mark Savage and let a shot go from the point, and Karson Kuhlman buried the rebound into the open net for the eventual game winner, as the 'Jacks saw the puck in their zone most of the last minute, but Max Reinertsen and Jokinen kept the puck and Hibbing skaters behind the net where they couldn't do much damage. John Scheuer got the win in net for the 'Jacks.

Jared Anderson jumps on a rebound to bury the puck for a goal

Beau Michaud wrist shot in tight on the Hibbing goal

Cloquet Girls Beat Superior 5-0

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The Lumberjack girls hockey team dominated the Superior Spartans, winning 5-0 and outshooting the Spartans 39-6 for the game. Kalie Shevich scored twice, while Emily Gustafson, Jessie Ryan, and Carley Esse each scored once for the 'Jacks. Gustafson picked up two assists, while Esse and Kristi Konietzko each added an assist. Alyssa Acheson and Katie Beckman split the game for the Jacks in net, with Acheson picking up the win stopping 5 shots in her 25 minutes and Beckman seeing 1 shot.

Kalie Shevich scores against Superior

Carley Esse puts the puck on her backhand to score

UMD Basketball Teams Downed by Wayne State

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The UMD women's basketball team dropped a game to Wayne State College, the top team in the NSIC, January 8, 2011, despite leading 17-7 midway through the first half, and 22-15 with 6 minutes left in the first half. UMD trailed 37-30 just into the second half, and went on a run and took back the lead yet again, leading 49-43 when Shelly Stemper hit a shot with 11:40 left in the half. UMD was held scoreless the next 4:18 and were down 53-49 until Kelsey Hewitt stopped the Wildcat run. The Dogs were outscored 13-7 the last 7:22 as Wayne extender their lead to the final 66-58 score.

Lindsay Miller drives the baseline against Wayne State

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The UMD men had a 15 point lead over Wayne State early in the second half, after leading by 13 at the end of the first, but couldn't hold the lead and eventually lost in double overtime January 8, 2011 at Romano Gym. The 'Dogs then had a 5 point lead near the end of the first overtime, and a 2 point lead when a foul was called in the last second of the first overtime, on a loose ball scrum, giving Wayne State two free throws, which they made, to send the game to a second overtime.

UMD couldn't sustain the energy of the first 45 minutes, and allowed a big run by Wayne in the second overtime, eventually losing 111-104. Ryan Rasmussen scored 40, including 7 of 13 from '3 point land,' for the 'Dogs, but was bested by the Wildcats Amry Shibley's 42 points. UMD only only had 17 free throw attempts, of which they made 13, in the contest, compared to Wayne State shooting 35 free throws, of which they made 29.

Ryan Rasmussen takes the ball to the rim

UMD Bulldog Men Beat Team USA U-18’s 4-1

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The Bulldog men got their first Amsoil Arena win, albeit in an exhibition game with the U-18 Team USA national team. The Bulldogs faced UMD goaltending recruit Matt McNeely and gave him a solid test, putting 46 shots on their future teammate. David Grun, Jack Connolly, Keegan Flaherty, and Jake Hendrickson scored the Bulldog goals in the 4-1 victory, that gave Bulldog fans a chance to cheer in Amsoil Arena after being shutout by North Dakota in the Arena Grand Opening. UMD's first real WCHA series in Amsoil Arena occurs vs Wisconsin January 14-15.

Keegan Flaherty puts a shot on McNeely

Duluth Northern Stars, East Greyhounds Win at Perkin’s Frenzy

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The Northern Stars defeated the Mirage 2-1 in the opener of the Perkin's Frenzy at Amsoil Arena, January 3, 2011. Ailee Norton gave the 'Stars a 1-0 lead, that was answered by PHM's Emma Stauber. Alexia Klaas scored the game winner for the 'Stars, jumping on a loose puck in front of a cluttered Mirage net for the winner.

Claudia Gagnon plays the puck in front of Mirage goaltender Anja Morris

‘Stars goaltender Megan Hansen stops Mirage’s Nichole Mathews with help from #13 Sarah Buckner

Duluth East defeated Duluth Central/Denfeld 7-1 in the final matchup between the two teams as Central, in the second half of the Perkin's Frenzy at Amsoil Arena, January 3, 2011.

Greyhound Jake Randolph scores a goal against goaltender Zach Thompson in the Frenzy

2010 Wood City Classic Photos

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Below are photos from the 2010 Wood City Classic, the first day of the tournament with wins by the Esko boys over Blake 48-47 and the Cloquet girls defeated East Central, as Annabel Morrisroe scored her 1000th career point early in the first half. The Cloquet boys dropped their game to East Central in the nightcap of day one.

Esko celebrates the win over Blake

Morrisroe’s shot for her 1000th career point

Zach Peterson takes to the air for a layup

 

Hermantown Beats Central/Denfeld In Overtime Thriller

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The Central/Denfeld and Hermantown boys hockey teams put on a show at Heritage Center, December 23, 2010. In one of the best hockey games of the still young 2010-11 hockey season, Hermantown's Jared Thomas stole the puck in front of the Cen/Den net and beat Zach Thompson for the game winning goal with 1:03 left in overtime.

Hermantown got the scoring started, at 8:09 of the first period, on a goal by Garrett Skrbich. With 4:43 left in the first period, Cen/Den tied the game at 1, when Tyler Kaspari beat Hermantown goaltender Connor Lucas. The Trojans' Ben Wrazidlo scored the only goal of the 2nd period, and they held that lead until 16:22 of the third period when Hermantown's Chris Benson tied the game.

Hermantown then killed off a 5 on 3 Duluth powerplay that extended into overtime, gaining momentum that eventually led to Thomas' game winner.

Cen/Den goaltender Zach Thompson stops Hermantown’s Jesse Dyson

Jared Thomas gets the puck in front of the net in overtime, Thomas’ scored the game winner after getting around the defense

Duluth Northern Stars, Grand Rapids/Greenway Lightning Tie 2-2

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The Northern Stars and Lightning put on a great hockey game, skating to a 2-2 tie at Heritage Center, December 22, 2010. After a scoreless first period, Duluth's Alexia Klaas gave the 'Stars a 1-0 lead at 12:55 of the second period, assisted by Claudia Gagnon and Nikki Logergren. The Lightning's Aspen Anderson tied the game early in the second period, and Logergren put the 'Stars back in the lead at 13:47 of the period. That lead held until late in the third period, when the Lightning's Kaya Baker scored, with goaltender Sydney Helmbrecht pulled, to tie the game. Both teams had chances in overtime, but neither could score the game winner in the 8 minute overtime period.

The Northern Stars celebrate a goal against the Lightning

Goaltender Megan Hansen makes a save

Esko Girls Win Coaches Classic Vs Floodwood

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The Eskomos combined tremendous speed, defense, and rebounding to dominate the Floodwood Polar Bears in the championship game of the 2010 Esko Coaches Classic Basketball tournament, December 18, 2010.   Esko’s Keely Deadrick reached the 1000 point plateau early in the game.

Keely Deadrick

Cloquet Boys / Girls Hockey Lose Games

Behind 2 Trevor Olson short handed goals, the Greyhounds defeated the 'Jacks 4-0 at the CARC, December 16, 2010. The Lumberjacks skated well with the Greyhounds, after falling behind 3-0 in the first period, only giving up Olson's second short handed goal in the third period. JoJo Jeanetta kept the 'Jacks off the sccorebaord for the shutout.

Adam Hanson goes after a loose puck

 

The Lumberjacks, shorthanded by illness, had a 2 goal lead vs Elk River, December 17, 2010, but couldn't hold it, giving up 3 unanswered goals to drop the Section 7AA game 3-2 at the CARC. The 'Jacks had a 5 on 3 powerplay in the last minute, and an extra attacker from pulling goaltender Alyssa Acheson, but couldn't light the lamp 6 on 3 to tie the game before the final buzzer.

Acheson makes a leg save in the third period

UMD Football Beats Northwest Missouri State in National Semi-Final

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The Bulldog football team ground out a huge 17-13 win in the D2 National Semi-Final vs Northwest Missouri State, in windchills in the negative teens the entire game. Chase Vogler scored the winning touchdown on a 34 yard scramble on 4th and 3, with 4:12 left on the clock.

UMD was down 6-3 at halftime after a Bearcat touchdown pass from Jordan Simmons to Blake Bolles, with 4:24 left in the half, and UMD's David Nadeau's 27 yard field goal with 24 seconds left in the half. UMD fell behind 13-3 when Simmons scored from 1 yard out 6 minutes into the 3rd quarter, but UMD marched the ball down the field and Brian Hanson answered that score with a 4 yard touchdown of his own.

The only scoring of the entire fourth quarter was Vogler's 4th down touchdown run, giving UMD it's 2nd trip to the National Championship game in 3 years.

Kiel Fechtelkotter makes sure of a tackle against the Bearcats

QB Chase Vogler runs in open space

Fullback Brian Hanson runs through a tackle on his touchdown

Lumberjack Girls Fall to PHM Mirage

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The Lumberjacks lost to Section (and Lake Superior Conference) rival Proctor/Hermantown/Marshall Mirage 4-2 in Hermantown, December 9, 2010. The 'Jacks got off to a great start, getting 2 goals from Kelly Carlson, the first with under 3 minutes left in the first period, then her second just 22 seconds into the second period. At 9:02 of the second period, PHM's Sam Nelson scored, cutting the lead to 2-1, then 2:40 later she scored again to tie the game at 2.

The deadlock continued until 13:02 of the third period, when Mirage's Niki Mathews scored the game winning goal. The 'Jacks had chances to score with goaltender Alyssa Acheson pulled for an extra skater, but couldn't get the puck in the net. An empty net goal for PHM, scored by Emy Albert, with 3 seconds left finished the scoring for PHM. Acheson stopped 29 of 33 shots she faced, while Anja Morris stopped 26 of 28 for the win.

Carley Esse blasts a shot from the blue line, Kelly Carlson tipped the shot for her second goal of the night

Rachel Macaulay battles PHM goaltender Anja Morris for the puck in front of the net

Barnum Girls Dominate Carlton

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Jessica Newman and the Barnum Bombers rolled over the Carlton Bulldogs, December 6, 2010.  At halftime (I only shot the first half) the score was 68-9.

Newman drives the baseline

Katie Myhre goes up for a layup

UMD Women’s Basketball Downed By Moorhead

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The Bulldog women dropped a basketball game with Minnesota-Moorhead 76-71 at Romano Gym, December 4, 2010. The game included 51 fouls called and 36 total turnovers between the two teams. After one half, the game was tied at 34, but Moorhead, with the help of 4-8 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc, and 14 of 16 second half free throw shooting, Moorhead pulled away and at one point had a 12 point second half lead. UMD was 1-13 from beyond the arc for the game and shot 13-15 from the free throw line in the first half but only 7-14 in the second half. The Bulldogs were led by Kelsey Hewitt's 15 points, while Shelly Stemper had 11 and Lindsay Miller 10 points.

Courtney Doucette drives to the basket against Moorhead

Kelsey Hewitt shoots a jumper in the lane