Hancock forward Kirby Storm scores on a shot against Houghton goaltender Brycyn Nettell during the Wing Ding hockey game Friday at the HoCo Arena in Hancock. (Paula Porter/For the Gazette)

HANCOCK — On paper, Friday night’s Wing Ding matchup between the Houghton Gremlins hockey team and the Hancock Bulldogs appeared to be predictable. The Gremlins rolled into the HoCo Arena riding a 15-game winning streak, but that went out the window as the Bulldogs scored three times in the third period to turn a 4-3 deficit into a 6-5 win.

Hancock improved to 14-8-2 with the win, their fourth in a row. Houghton fell to 19-6-1 with the loss.

Alternate captain Kirby Storm’s second goal of the game was the difference. He scored with 3:53 left in regulation to break a 5-5 tie and send the hometown crowd home happy. His 16th goal of the season was assisted by sophomore forward Connor Helminen and senior goaltender Adam Mikkola.

Storm’s first goal opened the scoring just 1:04 into the game. Helminen also picked up an assist on that tally.

Houghton captain Connor Arko evened the game at 1-1 with his 18th goal of the season at 8:02. Alternate captain Noah Maillette picked up the lone assist on the tally.

The Bulldogs regained the lead while shorthanded when junior defenseman Ted Heinonen found the net at 11:23. His first goal of the season was assisted by Storm.

Sophomore forward Luciano Paoli put Hancock up 3-1 just :51 seconds into the second period. The goal, his 14th of the season, was assisted by sophomore defenseman Jax Pierner and Helminen.

Houghton struck three times in a little over four minutes to take the lead.

Alternate captain Jack Sayen got things started at 1:52. His 12th goal of the season was assisted by Arko.

Freshman forward Mason Soli then tied the game at 3-3 with his second goal of the season at 5:19. Sophomore forwards Max Aldrick and Calvin Rinkinen both earned assists on the goal.

Senior defenseman Kade Jenkins then put the Gremlins ahead just 20 seconds later. The unassisted tally was Jenkins’ first of the season.

Looking for a spark to start the third period, the Bulldogs got it just 24 seconds in when junior forward Brady Axford buried his 13th goal of the season. Storm and Mikkola both picked up assists on the goal.

Junior defenseman Tyler Axford then put Hancock ahead 5-4 when he scored his fourth goal of the season, unassisted, at 4:09.

Arko struck for the second time at 10:27 to even things again at 5-5. Sayen and senior forward Gage Gullstrand earned assists on the goal.

Mikkola earned the win by making 35 saves on 40 Gremlins’ shots. Junior goaltender Brycyn Nettell stopped 21 in the loss for Houghton.

Up next

Houghton has one game left against Notre Dame Academy Saturday at Cornerstone Ice Arena in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. Hancock will be in Eagle River, Wisconsin, Tuesday to face Northland Pines.