Hockey Notebook: Bantam Greyhounds split with Timmins

The Northern Ontario Bantam Hockey League playoffs opened up locally over the weekend as the AAA Bantam Greyhounds hosted Timmins.

In game one, Max Khull scored a pair of goals in a 4-3 Greyhounds loss. Nolan Makkonen also scored in the loss.

In game two, Lucas Stefano had a pair of goals as the Greyhounds bounced back for a 6-1 win to even the series at one game apiece. Zack Taylor, Nicholas Smith, Gage Stephany and Dyllon Anderson also scored for the Greyhounds.

The series now shifts to Timmins for games three and four next weekend.

The series winner will face the winner of the other NOBHL semi-final series between first-place Nickel City and fifth-place Sudbury.

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LAKE STATE SWEPT BY MINNESOTA STATE

The Lake State Lakers hockey team dropped a pair of weekend games in Western Collegiate Hockey Association action against the Minnesota State Mavericks.

On Friday night, Dylan Margonari scored a pair of goals as the Mavericks blanked the Lakers 5-0. Goaltender Cole Huggins stopped 14 shots for the shutout while Josh Nelson, Chase Grant and Max Gaede also scored in the win. Zach Lehrke set up three goals in the win.

Kevin Kapalka made 35 saves for the Lakers in the loss.

On Saturday night, Johnny Mcinnis’ goal at 2:46 of the third period was the winner as Minnesota State completed the sweep with a 4-3 win. McInnis had a pair of goals for the Mavericks while Lehrke and Bryce Gervais also scored.

Alex Globke and Colin Campbell had a goal and an assist each for Lake State while Kevin Czuczman also scored. Dan Radke set up three goals in the loss.

The Lakers wrap up their regular season schedule next weekend as they travel to Ferris State to take on the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are currently tied with Minnesota State atop the WCHA standings.

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The North American Hockey League’s Soo Eagles are coming off a weekend split with Port Huron.

On Friday night, Nick Belger had a pair of goals as the Eagles beat Port Huron 4-3. Brad Pung and Derek Lodermeier also scored while goaltender Paige Skoog stopped 42 shots.

Zach Badalamenti had a goal and an assist for Port Huron while Nick LeSage and Vito Aluia also scored in the loss.

On Saturday night, Alex Blankenburg stopped 35 shots as Port Huron picked up a 3-1 win. Jon Hall, Bryann Yim and Matt Seidel scored in the win.

Denver Pierce had the lone goal for the Eagles.

This weekend, the Eagles host the Michigan Warriors at Pullar Stadium.