Several Houghton players, including forward Brody Donnelly (14) and defenseman Porter Markham, celebrate a goal in a game against Jeffers Saturday at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. (Paula Porter/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — With a 6-1 win over the Bay Area Storm on Friday at Dee Stadium, and a 4-1 win over the Jeffers Jets Saturday at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena, the Houghton Gremlins hockey team continued their hot streak, extending their winning streak to 11.

The Gremlins are now 15-5-1 on the season.

Gremlins 4, Jets 1

The Gremlins broke open a 1-1 tie with three third-period tallies to earn a 4-1 win Saturday over the Jets.

“Overall, I was happy about being able to gut out a win on what wasn’t our best game,” said Gremlins coach Micah Stipech. “After the game, the team said they were exhausted from three tough games in two days. It’s a sign of growth that we were able to dig in when it mattered. The last time we played tired, we got thumped 6-2 in Escanaba.”

The difference in the game, according to Stipech, was that Houghton made sure not to spend a lot of time and energy in their own end of the rink.

“Our defense is banged up, missing (Kade) Jenkins and Gunner Flachs,” he said. “We didn’t want to play a lot in our end. Our ‘D’ did a good job on getting pucks north quickly.”

Sophomore forward Braden Kari had a big game, scoring twice in the game’s final 90 seconds. His first came at 15:30. Junior defenseman Porter Markham and sophomore forward Gunner Gullstrand earned assists on the tally. Then, Kari scored his ninth of the season into an empty net with 20 seconds left.

“Braden Kari had a great game winning puck races,” Stipech said. “I always tell him his quickness and speed are his superpower. His motor was going today.”

Kari also factored into the game-winning goal, as he picked up an assist on sophomore forward Calvin Rinkinen’s third goal of the season 5:08 into the third period. Gage Gullstrand also assisted on the goal.

Alternate captain Jack Sayen got Houghton on the board first just 1:36 into the game with a power play goal. Gunner and Gage Gullstrand both assisted on the goal.

Junior forward Tage Rajala evened the game at 14:27 when he scored his seventh goal of the season. Sophomore forward Max Nordstrom picked up the lone assist on the goal.

Despite giving up a pair of goals in the third period, co-captain Kasen Helminen made 28 saves in the loss for the Jets.

“Their goalie had a good game,” said Stipech. “We were finally able to get to some rebounds.”

While he did not factor in the scoring, Stipech praised the play of alternate captain Noah Maillette in the middle frame.

“Noah Maillette made the biggest play of the game for me by backchecking an apparent 2-on-0 in the second when we turned a puck over on our ‘PP’ (power play).”

Junior goaltender Brycyn Nettell made 25 saves to earn the win for the Gremlins.

Jets coach Aaron Helminen sat some of his top players in the opening period. Despite that, the Jets outshot the Gremlins 10-8.

“The Jets sat some of their guys for discipline reasons in the first,” Stipech said. “We were not able to capitalize. I thought it was admirable that the Jeffers coaches held their players to a standard, and their team rallied and outshot us without them. It’s an example of what makes high school sports so valuable for young men and women.”

Gremlins 6, Storm 1

The Gremlins scored three times in the first and added three more throughout the rest of the game to earn a 6-1 win over the Storm.

Houghton got goals from six different scorers in the contest.

“I thought we played really well with the puck,” said Stipech. “We made a lot of plays and generated a ton of offense. Bay Area was a big team that wanted to play a physical game against us. I was happy with the improvement we’ve shown playing against teams like that.

“Earlier in the season that was effective against us. We have learned to play through it. I thought they got frustrated and took some penalties as a result. Our power play did a good job of taking advantage with three PP goals.”

Markham got things going for the Gremlins just 3:12 into the contest when he scored his third goal of the season.

Gunner Gullstrand followed with his fourth goal of the year at 13:08. Maillette earned the lone assist on the tally.

Sayen made it 3-0 Houghton with a power play marker at 16:09. Maillette and captain Connor Arko both earned assists on the goal.

Junior forward Brody Donnelly potted his 10th goal of the season while on the power play just 40 seconds into the middle frame. Kari and Markham picked up assists on the goal.

Junior forward Max Aldrich scored his second goal of the year for the Gremlins’ third goal on the man advantage 1:33 into the third period. Rinkinen and freshman forward Mason Soli earned assists on the goal.

Maillette closed out the scoring for the Gremlins with a goal at 4:21. Arko earned the lone assist.

The Storm got one back on a power play of their own when Henry Laurent scored at 7:05.

Depth matters

Stipech was proud of his group for the wins, but even more so to get contributions throughout the weekend from players up and down the lineup.

“All of our depth guys contributed,” he said. “I was happy to see Max Aldrich get on the scoresheet. Porter Markham had a nice goal.

“Brendan Jukuri has been playing some good minutes for us and doing a great job. Gage Gullstrand continues to work and battle for us as well.”

Up next

Houghton is off until Friday, when they host Calumet at Dee Stadium. Opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m. The Copper Kings defeated the Gremlins earlier this season in Calumet, 4-2.