Houghton forward Connor Arko tracks the puck during a Division 3 state quarterfinal game against Marquette Saturday at the Berry Events Center in Marquette. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press (Escanaba))

MARQUETTE — The Houghton Gremlins hockey used a four-goal third period to advance to the state semifinals Saturday night as they knocked off the Marquette Sentinels, 4-0, at the Berry Events Center in Marquette.

Houghton struck first with 14:31 to go in the game as sophomore forward Gunner Gullstrand found the back of the net on a rebound, with assists by sophomore defenseman Gunner Flachs and junior defenseman Wesley Mattila.

“It felt amazing to get that one,” Gullstrand said. “It was a 0-0 game, and we had some good chances, then finally got one to go, and then we were able to break away with it.”

Gremlins coach Micah Stipech had a sense that the game would turn on a goal, no matter which team got it.

“It was uncomfortable being in a 0-0 game for us,” Stipech said. “The team that got the first one had a huge advantage, but we were emphasizing between periods to get the puck to the net and we finally got one off a rebound against a very good goalie.”

Moments later, the Gremlins added to the lead as captain Connor Arko scored off the assist by alternate captain Noah Maillette to extend the Gremlins’ lead to 2-0.

“It was kind of like a relief,” Arko said. “Like we had the momentum in the first and second periods, but didn’t have anything on the scoreboard. So, to get those two quick ones really boosted our momentum and confidence.”

With 9:25 to play in the game, Mattila was sent to the box for hooking and put the Sentinels on the power play for the fourth time in the contest. The Sentinels were 0-for-4 on power play opportunities and had 16 shots on goal in the game. Gremlins senior goalie Cooper Flachs turning away all scoring attempts.

“This was our goal for 180 days,” Cooper Flachs said. “We have been working towards this since the summer to be here at this moment and it feels great.”

Marquette, who had a good power play all year, had multiple opportunities with shots on goal.

“It’s a game of inches,” Sentinels coach Doug Garrow said. “Sometimes the hockey gods aren’t with you. I thought we played really well in the second period. We had a lot of power play time and I feel we defended well.”

With 4:54 to go in the third period, the Gremlins struck again as Mattila found an opening in the goal off assists by Arko and alternate captain Jack Sayen to put the Gremlins up 3-0.

The Gremlins added one more for good measure as junior defenseman Porter Markham scored an empty-net goal on an assist by Maillette to put Houghton up by four.

Up next

The Gremlins advance to the state semifinal where they will face-off against Bay Reps Friday.