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Houghton defeats Utica Eisenhower 4-1

The Gremlins' Will Stier grabs a shot from an Eagles' defenseman while Brett Beardsley looks for a rebound during the first period of a game Saturday at Dee Stadium. The Gremlins won the game, 4-1. (Daver Karnosky/Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON — Except for a brief blip just 41 seconds into the third period Saturday afternoon, the Houghton Gremlins did everything they needed to end the Utica Eisenhower Eagles’ unbeaten streak.

Houghton got three goals from skaters not named Dawson McKay, including two from winger P.J. Donnelly. Defenseman Kevin Bostwick racked up four assists. The penalty kill held the Eagles’ potent power play off the scoresheet. Goaltender Will Stier stopped 26 shots as the Gremlins, who are ranked No. 7 in Division 1, and Houghton skated away from Dee Stadium with a 4-1 win.

The win was another important step for the Gremlins, who started the year 1-4-1 before beating Escanaba, 5-1, Friday night.

“Beating a high-ranking opponent was huge for our confidence,” said Gremlins coach Corey Markham. “I have been happy with the way we have been playing. I think we have been working hard and we give teams fits … This weekend has been our best weekend by far.”

Donnelly broke through in the late stages of the second period when he buried a rebound off a shot from McKay at 13:51. He echoed his coach’s words about the team’s confidence level.

“I thought we played really good,” said Donnelly. “We came out with a lot of energy. We’ve worked really hard. Getting these wins is good for our confidence.”

Donnelly pounced on the rebound off a blocked shot in the third period to beat Eagles goaltender Salvatore Carabelli over his glove at 8:30 of the third.

The Eagles, who came into the game having outscored opponents 43-18 and sporting a power play percentage of 33 percent, had plenty of chances in the opening frame, earning three power plays and firing eight shots at Stier. The senior was equal to the task, stopping everything thrown his way.

“That’s two games in a row now where I thought he’s looked good,” said Markham. “He’s making the saves he needs to make. That’s all we can ask.”

For the Eagles, the power play stalled, causing head coach Bob Hall to address it specifically in his postgame conference with the team.

“Our power play was sloppy pretty much all weekend,” said Hall. “[I] attribute it to the way Calumet and Houghton kill their penalties. For some reason, we just weren’t clicking.”

As for the Gremlins, the power play was much more friendly as they earned a lengthy two-man advantage early in the second as Adam Janicki took a major penalty for checking from behind just 11 seconds after Luke Geiger was whistled for interference.

It took 1:47, but McKay outraced an Eagles defender to a rebound off a shot from Bostwick and skated the puck out into the left circle before beating Carabelli over the shoulder at 3:58.

Late in the second, the Eagles nearly got one back when their captain and leading scorer, Matt Haist, got loose after taking a pass from Sammy Vicari. But after a quick deke to his forehand to get Stier moving to his left, Haist’s shot dribbled along the goal line. A Gremlins defender was able to sneak in and knock it away before the puck completely crossed the line.

The Eagles finally got one back with their rebound goal from Vicari to start the third period, but that was as close as they would get as Stier stopped another seven shots in the period to finish the game with 26 saves.

Winger Clayton Sayen regained the two-goal lead for the Gremlins just over five minutes later when he took a pass in the high slot from Bostwick and he beat Carabelli over the blocker with a quick wrister.

The Gremlins return to action Tuesday night when they host the Calumet Copper Kings at 7 p.m.

– – –

Scoring

Utica 0 0 1 – 1

Houghton 0 2 2 – 4

1st Period

None

2nd Period

1, HHS, Dawson McKay (Kevin Bostwick, P.J. Donnelly), PP, 3:58

2, HHS, Donnelly (McKay, Bostwick), 13:51

3rd Period

3, UTE, Sammy Vicari (Luke Geiger, Josh Zarra), :41

4, HHS, Clayton Sayen (Bostwick, McKay), 5:52

5, HHS, Donnelly (Derrian Raffaelli, Bostwick), 8:30

Saves

Carabelli, UTE 8 8 13 – 29

Stier, HHS 8 11 7 – 26

Penalties

UTE: 3/17; HHS: 4/8

Power Plays

UTE: 0/4; HHS:1/2

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