TRENTON — With a win over Mattawan Friday and a win over University Liggett Saturday, the Houghton Gremlins hockey team swept their two games at the MIHL Showcase. With the two wins, the Gremlins extended their winning streak to 15 games, improving to 19-5-1 overall in the process.

Gremlins 2, Wildcats 0

The Gremlins scored twice in the first period and then shut the Wildcats the rest of the way to earn a 2-0 win Friday.

Captain Connor Arko broke through with the Gremlins’ first tally at 8:45. His 14th goal of the season was assisted by alternate captain Noah Maillette and junior defenseman Porter Markham.

Houghton held that 1-0 lead until the 13:40 mark, when alternate captain Brody Donnelly scored his 14th goal of the year. Sophomore forward Braden Kari and sophomore defenseman Wesley Mattila both earned assists on the play.

Senior goaltender Copper Flachs stopped all six shots he saw in the first period. After that, he stopped a further 18 over the remainder of the contest to earn a 24-save shutout.

Gremlins 10, Knights 5

The Gremlins got five goals and six points from Maillette, and six points from Arko as well, as they scored three goals in the first period, four in the second and three more in the third to defeat the Knights, 10-5.

The loss for the Knights was just their third of the year, and first since a Nov. 21, 2025, loss to Detroit Country Day, ending a 16-game winning streak.

Maillette’s first goal came with Houghton down 2-1 at 12:38. The goal was assisted by Arko and sophomore forward Gunner Gullstrand.

Then Arko made it 3-2 Gremlins at 15:26. Maillette and Markham both earned assists on the goal.

Maillette’s second and third goals came in the middle frame. The first made it 6-4 while Houghton was on the power play at 8:02. Alternate captain Jack Sayen and Arko both assisted on the goal.

Then, Maillette’s hat trick goal was scored shorthanded with just 11 seconds remaining in the period. Sayen and Mattila earned assists.

Arko scored his second of the night 1:07 into the third. His 16th goal of the year was unassisted.

Maillette then added the game’s final two goals at 2:57 on the power play and 8:58 at even strength. Arko and Gullstrand assisted on the first goal, and Arko and freshman forward Mason Soli assisted on the second goal, which was Maillette’s 27th of the season.

Also scoring in the first period for the Gremlins was junior defenseman Ian Hembroff, who scored his first goal of the season at 8:46.

In the middle frame, with the game tied 3-3, Gullstrand scored his ninth of the season at 3:59. Kari had the lone assist.

Mattila then scored his second of the season just 46 seconds later. Senior forward Gage Gullstrans and Soli both assisted on the goal.

Junior goaltender Brycyn Nettell stopped eight of 13 shots to earn the win.

Up next

The Gremlins are back in action in the Copper Country Friday when they play the Hancock Bulldogs in the annual Wing Ding game at 7 p.m. at the HoCo Arena.