Author: Neil Vierzba

UWS Men’s Hoops Clinches Spot in UMAC Tourney with Home Win Against MN Morris

J'Vaun Walker would lead the Yellowjackets with 23 points in the victory.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The UW-Superior men’s basketball team officially clinched a postseason spot on Friday, defeating Minnesota Morris 82 to 74. J’Vaun Walker would lead the Yellowjackets with 23 points in the victory. UWS (15-9) will close out the regular season on Saturday against Crown College. Categories: College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

Northland Scores Three Unanswered to Take Game One Away from UWS Men’s Hockey

Jack Craycroft, Brendan Charlton, and Brock Weimer would all score in the contest.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Northland College would start the postseason on the right foot on Friday, upsetting UW-Superior 3 to 1 in Game 1. The Lumberjacks were led by three different goal scorers. Jack Craycroft, Brendan Charlton, and Brock Weimer would all score in the contest. Chris Ishmael had the lone goal for UWS. Both teams will meet again on Saturday for…

Top Play of the Week: 2/17

This week’s top play belongs to Braydon Hurtig of Superior boys hockey.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- This week’s top play belongs to Braydon Hurtig of Superior boys hockey. Hurtig’s goal helped Superior advance past Marshfield in the Regional Final. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Prep Hockey: Grand Rapids-Greenway Falls in Section 7AA Title Game, Superior Boys Advance to Sectional Semifinal

Grand Rapids-Greenway finishes the year at 16-12.

PROCTOR, Minn.- The Grand Rapids-Greenway girls hockey team saw their season come to a close on Thursday, as they fell to Andover 11-1 in the Section 7AA title game. Kalle Reed would have the lone goal for the Lightning. Grand Rapids-Greenway finishes the year at 16-12. On the boys side, Superior is moving on in Sectional One after defeating Marshfield…

Gabbie Hughes Named Top 5 Finalist for Hockey Humanitarian Award

The winner of the award will be announced on April 7th as part of the NCAA Men's Frozen Four.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD graduate foraward Gabbie Hughes has made it to the top five for the Hockey Humanitarian award. Just last month, she was named as a nominee for the award and now she is a two time finalist. Hughes would finish in the top three last season. Hughes is a co-founder of the non-profit Sophie’s Squad, which is a…

After Strong Finish to Regular Season, C-E-C Boys Hockey Preps for Section Tourney

The first round game between Coon Rapids and C-E-C will take place on February 21st. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM in Cloquet.

CLOQUET, Minn.- The Cloquet-Esko- Carlton boys hockey team closed out the regular season strong, winning six out of their last eight games. It’s the first time since the 2017-2018 season that C-E-C has finished with 15 or more wins. It’s also a bounce back season from a year ago, in which the Lumberjacks were only able to capture eight victories….

Prep Hockey: Mirage Claim 3rd Consecutive Section 7A Championship

Jane Eckstrom, Natalie Berg, Reese Heitzman, Nya Sieger, and Hannah Graves would all light the lamp for the Mirage.

CLOQUET, Minn.- For the 3rd consecutive year, the Proctor/Hermantown girls hockey team is heading to the state tournament. The Mirage would defeat Duluth Marshall 5-4 in the Section 7A title game on Wednesday. Proctor/Hermantown were led offensively by five different goal scorers. Jane Eckstrom, Natalie Berg, Reese Heitzman, Nya Sieger, and Hannah Graves would all light the lamp. As for…

UMD Forward Naomi Rogge to Lead Duluth Wolfpack Girls Lacrosse Team

She's no stranger to the sport as she played for her high school lacrosse team at Eden Prairie, winning three state championships.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD graduate forward Naomi Rogge has already lined up a gig outside of hockey. On Wednesday, she was named the head coach of the Duluth Wolfpack lacrosse team. Just last season, Rogge served as an assistant on the team. She’s no stranger to the sport as she played for her high school lacrosse team at Eden Prairie, winning…

Former Bulldog Mikey Anderson & LA Kings Agree to Contract Extension

Anderson is in his 3rd full season with the Kings.

LOS ANGELES, California.- A former Bulldog will stay in hollywood for the foreseeable future. Defenseman Mikey Anderson and the LA Kings have agreed to a contract extension. The deal is for eight seasons worth a total of 33 million dollars. Anderson is having a season to remember so far as he’s posted career highs in assists, points, and shots. He…

#8 UMD Women’s Hockey to Close Out Regular Season in Bemidji

Game one is set for Friday at 3 PM.

DULUTH, Minn.- One last regular season series before it’s playoff time for the UMD women’s hockey team. The Bulldogs will hit the road this upcoming weekend to Bemidji to face the Beavers for their final two games of the regular season. UMD has had Bemidji State’s number in recent meetings. Not only did they sweep them at AMSOIL last month….

Corey Kemp Returns to CSS as Interim Head Baseball Coach

Kemp spent ten seasons with the Saints from 2010 to 2019, posting an overall record of 313 wins and 108 losses

DULUTH, Minn.- St. Scholastica has a new interim baseball head coach, although it is someone who previously held the position. Corey Kemp returns to lead the Saints in the 2023 season. He spent ten seasons from 2010 to 2019, posting an overall record of 313 wins and 108 losses in his last stint as the Saints head coach. Scholastica will…

UMD Men’s Hockey to Meet Up with #3 Denver Once Again

Back in December, UMD and Denver would skate to a couple of overtime contests with both going to the Pioneers 3 to 2 and 4 to 3.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s hockey team will be on the road this upcoming weekend when they travel to Denver to play the 3rd ranked Pioneers. It’ll be the 3rd and 4th time this season that the squads have battled. Back in December, UMD and Denver would skate to a couple of overtime contests with both going to the Pioneers…

Boys Hockey: Superior Blanks NW Icemen in 1st Round, Hermantown Skates Past Grand Rapids

The Spartans will next play Marshfield in the 2nd round on Thursday. Time is to be determined.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior boys hockey team is onto the next round of the WIAA playoffs after defeating the Northwest Icemen 14-0 on Tuesday. The Spartans will next play Marshfield in the 2nd round on Thursday. Time is to be determined. In other boys hockey action, Hermantown would top Grand Rapids 4-1. Next up is section tournament play for both…

NorthStar Ford Arena Revealed as Name for New Hermantown Hockey Arena

Construction is set to begin in 2024.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- On Tuesday before Hermantown battled Grand Rapids, the city of Hermantown and NorthStar Ford announced a naming partnership for the new Hermantown hockey arena. The duo cited that this partnership is another significant step forward in the community recreation initiative. Besides the new arena, there will be upgrades to Hermantown’s current arena as well as changes to some…

Soderberg Grabs Another WCHA Goaltender of the Week Honor

Soderberg and UMD will hit the road to face Bemidji State this upcoming weekend.

DULUTH, Minn.- For the fourth time this season, Emma Soderberg has earned the WCHA goaltender of the week award. The graduate helped the Bulldogs to a win and a shootout win against then 12th ranked St. Cloud State over the weekend. She would just allow one goal over 125 minutes of game action. Soderberg also chased a bit of history…

Coaches Corner: Greg Polkowski

The Yellowjackets are currently 13-9 and in the chase for the UMAC regular season conference title.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- In this weeks’ Coaches Corner, we talk with head coach of the UW-Superior men’s basketball team, Greg Polkowski. The Yellowjackets are currently 13-9 and in the chase for the UMAC regular season conference title.   Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

College Basketball: UMD Hoops Begins Weekend with Sweep of UMary

Both teams will be back in action on Saturday as they take on Minot State. The men will start things off at 3:30 and the women will follow at 5:30.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s and women’s basketball teams started off their weekend slates with wins on Friday. The Bulldog men would take down UMary 83 to 68 to tip-off the doubleheader. Drew Blair had a team-leading 24 points in the contest. Following that game, the Bulldog women earned a twenty point victory over the Marauders, 72 to 52. Maesyn…

Prep Hockey: Northern Stars Fall in 7AA Quarterfinals, Denfeld Boys Knock Off Marshall in OT

The Northern Stars finish the year at 14-8-4.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Northern Stars would see their season come to a close on Thursday as they fell to Elk River/Zimmerman 6 to 1 in the Section 7AA quarterfinals. Mae McCall would have the lone goal for Duluth. The Northern Stars finish the year at 14-8-4. In other hockey action, the Duluth Denfeld boys knocked off Duluth Marshall 3…

Duluth Denfeld & Rock Ridge Boys Hockey Moving to Class 7AA in 23-24

Proctor, Hermantown, and Hibbing/Chisholm will stay in Class A next season.

DULUTH, Minn.- The landscape of section 7A and 7AA boys hockey continues to change. After it was announced over two weeks ago  that Cloquet-Esko-Carlton was switching to Class A. Two teams from Class A are now on the move. Those teams being Duluth Denfeld and Rock Ridge as they will be in Section 7AA beginning in the 2023-2024 season. As for…

Ben Steeves Named to Tim Taylor Rookie of the Year Watch List

The winner will be announced in April during the Frozen Four.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD freshman forward Ben Steeves has been named to the Tim Taylor Rookie of the Year Watch List. The award has been given annually to the top rookie in men’s NCAA Division 1 hockey since the 2006-07 season. Steeves has had a season to remember so far for the Bulldogs. He’s scored 17 goals, and posted five assists…

Prep Basketball: Duluth East Boys Top Forest Lake in “Silent Night Game”

Duluth East (15-4) will next play at Bloomington Jefferson on Saturday.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth East boys basketball team picked up their 15th win of the season on Wednesday, defeating Forest Lake 52 to 49. Dillon Bement had a team-leading 14 points in the contest. Jobe Juenemann was just behind him with 13. Duluth East (15-4) will next play at Bloomington Jefferson on Saturday. Categories: High School, Sports

UMD Women’s Hockey to Salute Seniors in Final Regular Season Home Series

UMD will honor their 10 seniors on Saturday.

DULUTH, Minn.- They may have already clinched home ice in the WCHA playoffs, but this weekend will mark the final regular season home series for the 7th ranked UMD women’s hockey team. They’ll welcome in the 12th ranked Huskies of St. Cloud State. The Bulldogs will look to continue their unbeaten mark against the Huskies as they took both games…

Prep Hockey: Duluth Marshall Girls Advance to Section 7A Semifinals

The Hilltoppers will next play Moose Lake Area in the semifinals on Saturday in Cloquet.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Marshall girls hockey team is onto the section 7A semifinals after defeating North Shore 10 to 1 in the quarterfinals. The Hilltoppers will next play Moose Lake Area in the semifinals on Saturday in Cloquet at 4 PM. In the other semifinal it will be Proctor/Hermantown facing Cloquet-Esko-Carlton at 2 PM.   Categories: High School, Sports

Prep Basketball: Grand Rapids Girls Extend Win Streak to 20 with Road Victory at Duluth East

The Thunderhawks were led by Taryn Hamling, who had 30 points in the contest.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Grand Rapids girls basketball team picked up their 20th win of the season on Tuesday, defeating Duluth East 68 to 45. The victory also extends their win streak to 20 games. The Thunderhawks were led by Taryn Hamling, who had 30 points in the contest. Jessika Lofstrom would follow that up with 15 points. Grand Rapids (20-2)…

UW-Superior Men’s Hoops Jostling for Top Spot in UMAC as Season Nears End

UWS will hit the road this upcoming weekend to face North Central and Northwestern.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The UWS men’s basketball team is withing grasp of achieving something they have never done before. And that’s win a UMAC regular season or conference tournament title. Coming into their final four games of the season, the Yellowjackets trail Bethany Lutheran by two games in the standings. However, the Vikings do hold the head to head tiebreaker as…

UMD’s Brent Laing Invited to NFL Scouting Combine

Laing is the first Bulldog ever to be invited to the combine. He also just recently played in the East/West Shrine Bowl last week in Las Vegas.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD offensive lineman Brent Laing will get another look from NFL scouts. Laing has received and accepted an invitation to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. The combine is held from February 27th through March 6th in Indianapolis, Indiana. Laing will take part in the four day camp to showcase his talents in front of all 32 teams. Laing…

Prep Basketball: Denfeld Boys Halt Two Harbors’ Win Streak at 7

Duluth Denfeld (9-12) will next play at Zimmerman on Saturday.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Denfeld boys basketball team picked up an 87 to 70 win over Two Harbors on Monday. The win snapped Two Harbors’ win streak at 7. Aidan Altona would lead the team with 26 points. Just behind him, was Marnaries Ferguson with 25. Duluth Denfeld (9-12) will next play at Zimmerman on Saturday. Two Harbors (15-3) will…

Prep Hockey: After Quiet 1st Period, Duluth East Boys Hold Off C-E-C 6-4

Grant Winkler and Thomas Gunderson would each have two goals in the victory.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth East boys hockey team would complete the season sweep over Cloquet-Esko-Carlton on Monday, 6 to 4. Grant Winkler and Thomas Gunderson would each have two goals in the victory. Duluth East (15-6-1) will next host Champlin Park on Tuesday. C-E-C (13-8-1) will play at Superior on Thursday. Categories: High School, Sports

Superior Boys Hockey Seeded 3rd in WIAA Playoffs

Superior earned the 3 seed and will take on Barron on February 14th.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The 2023 WIAA boys hockey tournament playoff seedings were announced over the weekend. On the boys side, the Superior Spartans will have the hometown fans behind them in their first round game. Superior earned the 3 seed and will take on Barron on February 14th. The Spartans are 11-10 so far this season and have one remaining regular…

Another NSIC North Player of the Week Honor for UMD’s Brooke Olson

Fresh off another NSIC North conference title, Olson and UMD return home this weekend to play UMary and Minot State.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD graduate forward Brooke Olson continues to add to her impressive resume. The latest feat being her 3rd NSIC North player of the week award. Olson started the weekend with a 25-point outing on 11 of 17 shooting in UMD’s 70 to 62 win over MSU-Moorhead. She would follow that up with 20 points on 50 percent shooting…

Scholastica’s Carsen Richels Earns MIAC Offensive Player of the Week Honors

The Saints have two series remaining in the regular season. Their final home regular season series is this weekend when they take on Saint Mary's.

DULUTH, Minn.- The St. Scholastica men’s hockey team claimed a spot in the MIAC playoffs after their sweep of Bethel this past weekend. A big reason they were able to accomplish that had to be the play of junior forward Carsen Richels. Richels picked up MIAC offensive player of the week honors today after posting a four goal weekend. Two…

Hughes Named WCHA Forward of the Week, UMD Stays at #7 in Poll

UMD will return home this upcoming weekend with a two game series against the St. Cloud State Huskies.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD women’s hockey team had a lot to celebrate over the weekend. The big one being that they clinched home ice in the WCHA playoffs. And today, there were more accomplishments being recognized. Gabbie Hughes was involved with every Bulldog goal in their series against Mankato. Because of that, she is the WCHA forward of the week….

OT Goal By #10 Western Michigan Snaps UMD Men’s Hockey’s Three Game Win Streak

Quinn Olson and Ben Steeves would both find the back of the net for UMD.

  DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s hockey team’s three game win streak came to a close on Friday, as they fell to #10 Western Michigan 3-2 in overtime. Max Sasson would net the game-winner for the Broncos. Quinn Olson and Ben Steeves would both find the back of the net for UMD. The Bulldogs (12-14-1) will once again face off…

Soderberg Named Semifinalist for National Goalie of the Year Award

The three finalists will be announced during the Frozen Four in March.

DULUTH, Minn.- For the 3rd consecutive season, UMD goalie Emma Soderberg has been named a semifinalist for the 2023 Women’s Hockey Goalie of the Year award. Soderberg is one of 11 goaltenders from four Division one conferences that advanced from the watch list of 28 goalies. She currently ranks third in the NCAA and first in the WCHA in shutouts…

Former Bulldog Jared Thomas Re-Signs with Indy Fuel

Thomas has spent time with three teams so far this season. He's had stints in Norfolk, Fort Wayne, and Reading.

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana.- A former Bulldog has a new team but it’s a team he’s suited up for before. Hermantown native Jared Thomas recently signed with the Indy Fuel, out of the ECHL. Thomas has spent time with three teams so far this season. He’s had stints in Norfolk, Fort Wayne, and Reading. Thomas has enjoyed his time with the Fuel….

Port Wing Native Megan Gustafson Re-Signs with Phoenix Mercury

In 33 games last season, the South Shore product averaged almost four points and two rebounds per game.

PHOENIX, Arizona.- Port Wing native Megan Gustafson will call the desert home for another season. Today, Gustafson re-signed with the Phoenix Mercury on a one-year deal. In 33 games last season, the South Shore product averaged almost four points and two rebounds per game. She would also shoot 55 percent from the field and 77 percent from the free throw…

Esko’s Ty Christensen to Suit Up for Concordia-Moorhead Football in Fall

Christensen quarterbacked the Eskomos to an 11-1 record, including an appearance in the Class AAA quarterfinals.

ESKO, Minn.- On Tuesday, another Esko football standout made his college commitment. And it’s their quarterback Ty Christensen. Christensen is heading to Moorhead to play for the Cobbers of Concordia-Moorhead. Concordia-Moorhead is based out of the MIAC conference, which is one of the top conferences for Division three. Christensen quarterbacked the Eskomos to an 11-1 record, including an appearance in…

Superior City FC Names Otto Berti as Head Coach

Berti is the current boys soccer varsity coach for Superior High School.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- After forming on January 24th, the Superior City Football Club has their head coach. And it’s a familiar face to the local community. Otto Berti will lead the team in it’s first season. Berti is the current boys soccer varsity coach for Superior High School. He also coached over the summer in the past. Most recently serving as…

UMD Football’s Brent Laing Competes in East/West Shrine Bowl

As a part of the West roster, Laing saw a number of snaps at the right guard and center position.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada.- UMD tackle Brent Laing had one last game to represent the Bulldogs on Thursday. Laing competed in the East/West Shrine Bowl in Las Vegas, Nevada. A game where plenty of NFL scouts were on hand. As a part of the West roster, Laing saw a number of snaps at the right guard and center position. The NFL…

#7 UMD Women’s Hockey Aims to Get Back on Track in Mankato

Puck drop is set for 3 PM on Friday.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD women’s team will look to get back on track after being swept by Minnesota this past weekend. The Bulldogs will hit the road to Mankato to take on a Mavericks squad they’ve gotten the best of the last three times they’ve faced them. That included a sweep at AMSOIL back in October. Head Coach Maura Crowell…

Prep Hockey: Duluth East Boys Extend Win Streak to 6 with Victory Over Superior

Cole Christian would get his 100th career point in the win.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth East boys hockey team was once again victorious on Wednesday, as they defeated Superior 4-0. Cole Christian would get his 100th career point in the win. The Greyhounds (14-6-1) will next be in action on Friday when they host Champlin Park. As for Superior (10-9), they’ll play at Proctor on Thursday. Categories: High School, Sports

2023 Beargrease Wrap

GRAND PORTAGE, Minn. – “It’s a great weekend, it’s a lot of fun. You know mushers and handlers; you don’t get much sleep out there, but you enjoy it and this weekend it was cold, but it was great. You get to see lots of stars, and everyone enjoys that at some point,” Handler, Erin Aili says. 300 miles, the…

Another Weekend, Another Ranked Opponent for the UMD Men’s Hockey Team

Puck drop is set for 7:30 PM on Friday.

DULUTH, Minn.- For the 2nd consecutive weekend, the UMD men’s hockey team will get to play in front of their hometown fans as they gear up to take on Western Michigan for the 2nd time this season. The Bulldogs are coming off a sweep of then top ranked St. Cloud State. And they will look to do the same against…

UMD Football Signs 32 Seniors on National Signing Day

The Bulldogs are coming off an 8-3 season in 2022.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD football team celebrated national signing day on Wednesday. A total of 32 seniors signed to the 2023 recruiting class. The most coveted postion for the Bulldogs was the defensive back position as they had 8 who signed. State wise, Minnesota was the lead dog with 16 incoming freshman. That would be followed by 11 from Wisconsin,…

Keith Aili Holds Off Ryan Anderson for 2023 John Beargrease Title

This is Aili's first Beargrease title since 2006.

GRAND PORTAGE, Minn.- It would come down to two mushers, but Keith Aili was able to outrace Ryan Anderson for the 2023 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon championship on Tuesday. Aili was the first out of the Mineral Center checkpoint 12 minutes ahead of Anderson. They would each pass each other before Aili was able to finish at 52 hours…

Prep Hockey: Mirage Skate Past Spartans on Home Ice 2-1

Anika Burke and Nya Sieger would be the goal scorers for the Mirage.

PROCTOR, Minn.- The Proctor/Hermantown Mirage picked up a big home win on Monday, defeating Superior 2-1. Anika Burke and Nya Sieger would be the goal scorers for the Mirage. As for Superior, Kenlyn Thimm had the lone goal. The Mirage (16-6-2) will next play at Mound Westonka/Southwest Christian on Saturday. As for the Spartans (17-4) they’ll play at Central Wisconsin…

UMD’s Steeves & Kaiser Earn NCHC Player of the Week Honors

UMD picked up their first NCHC sweep this past weekend against SCSU.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s hockey team is riding high after their huge sweep of 1st ranked St. Cloud State over the weekend. Not only was it just a sweep, but it was their first NCHC series sweep of the season. No surprise as to who was named NCHC rookie of the week as that honor belongs to Ben Steeves. …

UMD Women’s Hockey Down to #7 in USCHO Poll

The Bulldogs will hit the road this weekend to Mankato for a two game series with the Minnesota State Mavericks.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD women’s hockey team was cooled off a bit over the weekend as the 3rd ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers took both contests from the Bulldogs. Even with the two losses, not much of a fall for UMD. Just one spot as they are now ranked 7th in the country. With six games to go in the regular…