David Archambeau/For the Gazette Portage Lake celebrates with the Gibson Cup after winning the series against Calumet last season at Dee Stadium in Houghton for the first time since 2017.

By DAVER KARNOSKY

dkarnosky@mininggazette.com

HOUGHTON — This weekend, one of the oldest rivalries in North America returns to their annual best-of-three series for the Gibson Cup, one of the oldest trophies in hockey history. The Portage Lake Pioneers, who won the Gibson Cup last season for the first time since 2017, will be the home team for the series opener Thursday night at the Dee Stadium.

“It’s extremely special,” said Pioneers co-captain Cody Sivonen after his team earned the trophy with a sweep last season. “I mean, you look at everyone out here still celebrating, trying to get the locker room. But, this group of guys, it’s something special to win that, and now we’re bonded for life.”

For a player like Sivonen, who had been a part of Gibson Cup wins prior to last season, earning the trophy back was very important. The fact that he chipped in a pair of goals in the series made it even better.

“I just try to do what I can, just work hard when the opportunity comes,” he said. “Hopefully I get one, and I got two of them this weekend. So, at least I helped.”

The two teams then faceoff on Friday at the Calumet Colosseum. If a third and deciding game is necessary, the two teams will return to the Dee Stadium on Saturday.

The Pioneers won the Great Lakes Hockey League’s regular season title, going 15-2-1 in 18 games, good for 31 points. The Wolverines finished fifth with a record of 7-11, good for 14 points.

In matchups between the two teams this season, the Pioneers got the better of the Wolverines. In December, the Pioneers won 7-2 in Calumet on Friday, Dec. 22, then followed that up with an 8-3 win at the Dee Stadium the next night. The two teams met again on Dec. 29 and 30, with the Pioneers winning 5-3 at Dee Stadium and 6-2 at the Calumet Colosseum.

In the GLHL Tournament last weekend, the Pioneers won the matchup between the two teams, 6-1, on Friday night and later advanced to the championship game before falling to the Fond du Lac Bears in the title game.

Forward Brett Hauswirth led the Pioneers in scoring this season with 12 goals and 33 points in 17 games.

Forwards Cale Markham and Nick Harris also had strong seasons for the Pioneers. Markham led the team in goals (18), and had 31 points in 17 games. Harris had nine goals and a team-high 22 assists in 18 games.

In goal, Jimmy Pietila went 5-0 in five appearances. Aaron Petrulis was also good, going 5-1 in eight appearances with a 2.68 goals against average and .91 0 save percentage.

For the Pioneers, the game plan this season will look very similar to last year.

“It (is) extremely important (to get the first goal),” said Pioneers forward Spencer Donnelly. “I mean, first of all, the nerves for these games are, as it’s been said all week, (they’re) the most important games all year.

“It just means that much to us, and to get that first one right away, it just takes that pressure off. You’re not playing with nerves, and you can just play your game, and everything goes from there.”

For the Wolverines, the chance to salvage a disappointing season is on the line, and that is not lost on them.

“The rivalry is good,” Wolverines coach Bruce Coppo said. “We all gather on the streets in the summer, but it’s a different story in the winter. We want to beat each other. It’s a good rivalry.”

The Wolverines were led again this season by their captain, Logan Rastello, who had 15 goals and 33 points in 14 games.

Alternate captain Matthew Yeo tied for the team lead in goals with 15, and finished with 30 points in 16 games. Forward Brent Loukus also had a strong year with 12 goals and 26 points in 12 games.

In goal, Bruce Parisot saw the most action this season, playing in 10 games. He finished with a 5.76 goals against average and a .840 save percentage. Tyler Hubbard played in five games this season.

GAME TIMES

The Pioneers and Wolverines will faceoff Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. at Dee Stadium. Friday’s game at the Calumet Colosseum will also start at 7:30 p.m. If a third game is necessary, it will be back at Dee Stadium Saturday at 7:30 p.m.