Author: Sam Ali

Rodberg Scores 1,000th Point as Proctor Girls Basketball Defeats Duluth Denfeld

Hope Carlson finished with 14 points and Rodberg led all scorers with 15 points.

PROCTOR, Minn. – Senior Payton Rodberg scored her 1,000th career point as the Proctor girls basketball team defeated Duluth Denfeld 84-19. Hope Carlson finished with 14 points and Rodberg led all scorers with 15 points. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

UMD Women’s Basketball Picks Up Ninth Straight Win, UMD Men Captures North Division Championship

It was a good night for the Bulldogs as they swept the Dragons at Romano Gym.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD women’s basketball team defeated Minnesota State Moorhead 67-42 Friday night at Romano Gym. And in the men’s game, the Bulldogs used a strong second half to knock off the Dragons 80-70 and capture the NSIC North Division championship. Categories: College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports, University of Minnesota – Duluth

Chobak, Giguere Power UMD Women’s Hockey to Road Shutout Over Wisconsin

It's the Bulldogs first win in Madison since November of 2010.

MADISON, Wis. – Senior Elizabeth Giguere would score twice and sophomore Jojo Chobak would record a career-high 45 saves as the UMD women’s hockey team shuts out Wisconsin 3-0 Friday night at the La Bahn Arena. Gabby Krause scored the other goal for the Bulldogs, who get their first win in Madison since November of 2010. Categories: College, Friday Night…

Northwestern’s Bennett Nelson Signs NLI for UMD Track & Field

Nelson plans to take part in the triple jump, long jump and some sprints.

MAPLE, Wis. – Northwestern’s Bennett Nelson has signed his National Letter of Intent to join the UMD track and field team. Nelson plans to take part in the triple jump, long jump and some sprints. He is also a member of the Tigers’ football and basketball teams. Categories: College, High School, Sports, University of Minnesota – Duluth

UMD Women’s Hockey Ready for Battle Against Wisconsin

Puck drop Friday night in Madison is set for 7 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – There was a period of time fairly recently where the UMD women’s hockey team had to just hope they could get a win over a top-five opponent. But things have changed because now the Bulldogs have multiple wins over some of the best teams in the country. Assistant captain Gabbie Hughes says that’s due to a confidence…

Prep Boys Hockey: Duluth Marshall Wins OT Thriller Over Greenway, Superior Sneaks By Proctor

Home ice advantage was key for the Hilltoppers and Spartans.

DULUTH, Minn. – After allowing three unanswered goals, the Duluth Marshall boys hockey team rallied to tie the game and win in overtime over Greenway 4-3 Thursday night at Mars Lakeview Arena. In other prep boys action, it was Superior getting the home win over Proctor 2-1. Categories: High School, Sports

“Hockeyland” Documentary Makes Local Debut at Zeitgeist Zinema

The film will have another screening at Zeitgeist Thursday night, as well as up in Hibbing on Friday night. A national release of the film will take place this fall.

DULUTH, Minn. – Grab some popcorn and follow the red carpet as Wednesday night, the “Hockeyland” documentary finally made its local debut. Following the world debut in New York back in November, the producers have brought the film to the silver screens of Zeitgeist Zinema in Duluth. Director Tommy Haines says it was important to bring the film back to…

Proctor/Hermantown Girls Hockey Tops Duluth Marshall in Home Finale

Izy Fairchild and Nya Sieger scored for the Mirage, while Ilsa Lindaman scored the lone goal for the Hilltoppers.

PROCTOR, Minn. – In its final home game of the regular season, the Proctor/Hermantown girls hockey team defeated Duluth Marshall 2-1 Wednesday night at the St. Luke’s Sports and Event Center. Izy Fairchild and Nya Sieger scored for the Mirage, while Ilsa Lindaman scored the lone goal for the Hilltoppers. Categories: High School, Sports

Northland Natives Commit to College Football Programs on National Signing Day

On National Signing Day, high school student-athletes made their college commitments official, including four Northland natives who will play football at the college level.

DULUTH, Minn. – On National Signing Day, high school student-athletes made their college commitments official, including four Northland natives who will play football at the college level. Superior’s Ross Rivord, Duluth Denfeld’s Raymond Bandy and Deer River’s Tait Kongsjord signed their National Letters of Intent to join the UMD football team. Duluth East’s Dylan Harrison signed his NLI for Bemidji…

UMD Football Team Unveils 26 Recruits of Future Bulldogs

17 of the recruits were from Minnesota, five were from Wisconsin and four come from Nevada.

DULUTH, Minn. – Wednesday was National Signing Day and the UMD football team unveiled their newest class of future Bulldogs. 26 recruits put pen to paper, including 17 from the state of Minnesota. UMD went heavy on the defensive side with eight defensive backs and six linebackers. Head coach Curt Wiese says his coaching staff was not aiming to focus…

Proctor’s Payton Rodberg Signs NLI for Seton Hill Volleyball Team

This past season, Rodberg would record her 1,000th career kill for the Rails.

PROCTOR, Minn. – This week, Proctor’s Payton Rodberg signed her National Letter of Intent to join the Seton Hill volleyball team. The school is located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Rodberg says she initially wanted to go to the west coast, but the coaching staff at Seton Hill continued to show more interest in her than other programs did. This past season,…

Curling 101 with Olympic Gold Medalist John Shuster

Before he left for the Winter Olympics, Northland native and 2018 Olympic gold medalist John Shuster spent some time with FOX 21's Sam Ali for a quick lesson on curling.

EVELETH, Minn. – Before he left for the Winter Olympics, Northland native and 2018 Olympic gold medalist John Shuster spent some time with FOX 21’s Sam Ali for a quick lesson on curling. Categories: Professional Sports, Sports

UMD Softball Team Get Set for Season Opener Under New Head Coach Lynn Anderson

UMD will open the season at the Mankato Dome Invite this weekend against Missouri Western State.

DULUTH, Minn. – The college softball season has arrived and that means the Bulldogs are back. The UMD softball team will head to Mankato this weekend and it will be the debut of new head coach Lynn Anderson. She says it can be scary for players and coaches to walk into a new program, but the Bulldogs have adjusted well…

UMD Women’s Hockey Tops St. Cloud State for Third Straight Victory

The Bulldogs pick up their third straight win as they get set to take on Wisconsin this weekend.

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Senior forward Elizabeth Giguere finished with one goal and two assists as the UMD women’s hockey team defeated St. Cloud State 5-1 Tuesday afternoon at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. The Bulldogs pick up their third straight win as they get set to take on Wisconsin this weekend. Categories: College, Sports, University of Minnesota –…

UW-Superior Men’s Basketball Get Back on Track with Win Over Minnesota Morris

Xavier Patterson, Eli Vogel and Joey Barker each scored at least 10 points for the Yellowjackets.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Three players finish in double-figures as the UW-Superior men’s basketball team earned a bounce-back win at home against Minnesota Morris 84-60 Monday night at the Mertz Mortorelli Gym. Xavier Patterson, Eli Vogel and Joey Barker each scored at least 10 points for the Yellowjackets. Categories: College, Sports

Denfeld Youth Hockey Raising Money for “Hockey Fights Cancer”

The funds collected will go towards the Children's Cancer Center at Essentia Health, as well as the Testicular Cancer Foundation.

DULUTH, Minn. – Monday, the Duluth Denfeld Peewee A team faced the Duluth East Peewee A team in a special “Hockey Fights Cancer” game at Amsoil Arena. The funds collected will go towards the Children’s Cancer Center at Essentia Health, as well as the Testicular Cancer Foundation. The event started last year with the Hunters’ varsity team, and has now…

Hermantown’s Gavin Blomdahl Signs NLI for Jamestown Football Team

This past fall, Blomdahl was key to the Hawks' run game, rushing for over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Monday afternoon, Hermantown’s Gavin Blomdahl signed his National Letter of Intent to join the University of Jamestown football team. This past fall, Blomdahl was key to the Hawks’ run game, rushing for over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns. He says being far from home will be tough, but the program is a perfect fit for him. “I…

Northern Star: Rachel Hagen

For this week's Northern Star, we meet a Duluth East girls basketball player who's battled back from multiple knee injuries to become one of the top players on her team.

DULUTH, Minn. – It is almost a miracle that Rachel Hagen is playing basketball today. When she was just an eighth grader, Hagen tore her ACL. “Mentally it was pretty hard to be sitting out for so long knowing that it was going to be a 9-12 month recovery. But I think that was also motivating, to see my teammates…

Coaches Corner: Jeff Buffetta

For this week's segment, we chat with the head coach of the MIB boys and girls basketball teams.

MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we spoke with MIB boys and girls basketball coach Jeff Buffetta as the Ranger girls are the top team in Class A. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Prep Boys Basketball: Duluth Marshall Tops North Woods, Superior Takes Down Cloquet

The Hilltoppers were victorious at home, while the Spartans got the road win.

DULUTH, Minn. – In a battle of Section 7A foes, it was Duluth Marshall getting the home win over North Woods 81-68. In other prep boys basketball action, Superior knocked down 16 threes as they defeated Cloquet 100-47. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

UMD Basketball Teams Earn Home Sweep Over Southwest Minnesota State

It was a good night for the Bulldogs as both basketball teams knocked off the Mustangs.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD women’s basketball team picked up their seventh straight victory as they defeated Southwest Minnesota State 65-49 Friday night at Romano Gym. On the men’s side, they would get 21 points each from Drew Blair and Austin Andrews as they rolled past the Mustangs 91-62. Categories: College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports, University of Minnesota – Duluth

Anderson’s Two Goals Helps UMD Women’s Hockey Knocks Off MSU-Mankato

Senior forward Taylor Anderson scored two goals for the UMD women's hockey team.

DULUTH, Minn. – Senior forward Taylor Anderson scored two goals for the UMD women’s hockey team as they defeated Minnesota State-Mankato 4-2 Friday afternoon at Amsoil Arena. Elizabeth Giguere and Clara Van Wieren also scored for UMD as they’ll try to sweep the Mavericks Saturday afternoon. Categories: College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports, University of Minnesota – Duluth

UMD Men’s Hockey Tops Western Michigan in High-Scoring Affair

Hunter Lellig would score the go-ahead goal in the third period as the UMD men's hockey team defeated Western Michigan 5-4.

DULUTH, Minn. – Hunter Lellig would score the go-ahead goal in the third period as the UMD men’s hockey team defeated Western Michigan 5-4 Friday night at Amsoil Arena. Kobe Roth, Matt Anderson, Blake Biondi and Jesse Jacques also scored for the Bulldogs, who will look for the sweep Saturday night against the Broncos. Categories: College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports,…

South Ridge Girls Basketball One of Four Undefeated Teams Left in the State

The Panthers' schedule gets tougher the rest of the way, with match-ups against Cromwell-Wright, Chisholm and Cherry

CULVER, Minn. – With their win Thursday night over Moose Lake-Willow River, the South Ridge girls basketball team is now a perfect 16-0 on the season. The Panthers are one of just four teams still undefeated, which puts a target on their back every night. “It’s still hard to believe when people say our record, I forget that we’re 16-0….

Prep Boys Hockey: Hermantown Blanks Proctor, Rock Ridge Stuns Duluth Denfeld

The Hawks get the home shutout win while the Wolverines pull off the upset on the road.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – On their Senior Night, the Hermantown boys hockey team got the home win over Proctor 8-0 Thursday night at the Hermantown Ice Arena. In other prep boys hockey action, Rock Ridge got two goals each from Brant Tiedeman and Brennan Peterson as they shocked Duluth Denfeld 6-2 at the Heritage Center. Categories: High School, Sports

Duluth Native Chris Plys to Pull Double Duty in Curling at 2022 Winter Olympics

Plys is set to play in at least 18 matches in 15 days, and that's not counting if both of his teams make it to the medal round.

EVELETH, Minn. – Four years ago, Chris Plys was sitting at home watching his friends Team Shuster win a gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics. A few months later while biking on the lakewalk, he received a phone call from a member of that team, Matt Hamilton, asking if Plys would be interested in joining the team. I’m sure…

UMD Men’s Hockey Ready for Defensive Battle With Third-Ranked Western Michigan

The Bulldogs and Broncos met back in November as UMD split the series in Kalamazoo.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD men’s hockey team will be back at home this weekend to take on third-ranked Western Michigan. Don’t expect a lot of goals in this series as both teams rank inside the top three in goals against average. The Bulldogs and Broncos met back in November as UMD split the series in Kalamazoo. “They’re a tough…

First Half Struggles Doom UW-Superior Men’s Basketball Against Crown

It was the Yellowjackets' first home game since December 11th, 2021.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The UW-Superior men’s basketball team scored just 18 points in the first half as they would fall to Crown 83-55 Wednesday night at the Mertz Mortorelli Gym. It was the Yellowjackets’ first home game since December 11th, 2021. Categories: College, Sports

UMD Softball Picked to Finish Fourth in NSIC Preseason Poll

Hermantown native Jordyn Thomas and pitcher Sam Pederson were named "Players to Watch" at UMD.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD sofbtall team was picked to finish fourth in the preseason poll from the NSIC. The Bulldogs come into the season with first-year head coach Lynn Anderson who takes over a team that went 21-9 last season in conference play. Hermantown native Jordyn Thomas and pitcher Sam Pederson were named “Players to Watch” at UMD. They’ll…

UMD’s Jojo Chobak Talks Stellar Debut Against Ohio State

In her first career start last Friday at Ohio State, the Chicago native shutout the top scoring team in the nation.

DULUTH, Minn. – Even with so much turnover, the UMD women’s hockey team always seems to have a rock solid goalie in net. And now we have the latest name for the Bulldogs: Jojo Chobak. The sophomore netminder has been stellar so far filling in for Emma Soderberg, who is heading to the Winter Olympics. In her first career start…

Prep Boys Basketball: Tuesday Night Wins for Superior, Duluth East

Home court advantage was key for the Spartans and the Greyhounds.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior boys basketball used a strong second half to get the home win over Hibbing 82-55 Tuesday night. In other prep boys basketball action, it was Duluth East over Cloquet 84-48, thanks to 27 points from Isaac Nyakundi. Categories: High School, Sports

UMD’s Ann Simonet Talks Hitting 1,000-Point Milestone

Simonet was part of a trio of Bulldogs who decided to come back to UMD for a fifth year, a decision she says was an easy one to make.

DULUTH, Minn. – UMD’s Ann Simonet is the latest Bulldog to score 1,000 career points. The fifth-year guard led the team with 14 points in last Friday’s road win over Augustana. And in the process was able to hit that milestone without even knowing it. “It was when we went into the Augustana locker room. My teammates congratulated me. But…

Fond Du Lac Tribal & Community College Discontinues Football Program

According to a press release, budget limitations and a lack of facilities contributed to the decision.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College announced Tuesday that they are discontinuing their football program. According to a press release, budget limitations and a lack of facilities contributed to the decision. The Thunder did not a field a football team for the past two seasons due to COVID-19 precautions. The Athletics Task Force says they will…

Mont Du Lac to Host Seventh-Annual ATSX Ice Cross Races

It will be the event's only stop in North America as part of the ATSX Ice Cross Championship Series.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Mont Du Lac will be hosting the seventh-annual ATSX Ice Cross Races. It will be the event’s only stop in North America as part of the ATSX Ice Cross Championship Series. And although it will feature skaters from the United States, Canada and Europe, all are encouraged to join. “This is amateur welcome. The ATSX 250 is…

Prep Boys Hockey: Duluth East, Duluth Marshall Take Care of Business on Home Ice

Home ice advantage was the key for the Greyhounds and Hilltoppers

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth East boys hockey team scored two goals in the third period as they defeated Cloquet-Esko-Carlton 4-1 Monday night at the Heritage Center. In other prep boys hockey action, it was Duluth Marshall getting the home shutout win over Hibbing/Chisholm 3-0. Categories: High School, Sports

Prep Girls Basketball: Grand Rapids, Hermantown Victorious On The Road

The Thunderhawks and Hawks went on the road and picked up wins on Monday night.

DULUTH, Minn. – Junior guard Taryn Hamling led all scorers with 25 points as the Grand Rapids girls basketball team improved to 15-2 on the season with a road win over Duluth East 69-53 Monday night. In other prep girls basketball action, it was Hermantown over Duluth Denfeld 86-32. Categories: High School, Sports

Coaches Corner: Andy Fenske

For this week's segment, we chat with the head coach of the Hermantown boys basketball team.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we hear from Hermantown boys basketball coach Andy Fenske as the Hawks are currently riding a nine-game win streak. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Simonet Scores 1,000th Point as UMD Women’s Basketball Top Augustana, Bulldog Men Fall to Vikings

Both teams will be back in action Saturday against Wayne State.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Fifth-year guard Ann Simonet scored her 1,000th career point as the UMD women’s basketball team held on to beat Augustana 64-41 Friday night at the Sanford Pentagon. As for the men, they dropped their second straight game of the season as the Bulldogs fell to the Vikings 89-80. Both teams will be back in action Saturday…

UMD Men’s Hockey Rolls Past Omaha for Road Win

The Bulldogs are unbeaten against the Mavericks in their last 11 meetings as they'll look for the sweep Saturday night.

OMAHA, Neb. – The UMD men’s hockey team would get goals from five different players as they top Omaha 5-1 Friday night at Baxter Arena. The Bulldogs are unbeaten against the Mavericks in their last 11 meetings as they’ll look for the sweep Saturday night. Categories: College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports, University of Minnesota – Duluth

Hanley’s Game-Winner, Chobak’s Shutout Gives UMD Women’s Hockey Road Win Over Ohio State

Sophomore goaltender Jojo Chobak made her first career start in net and finished with 27 saves in the shutout win.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Senior captain Kylie Hanley would score the lone goal with 32 seconds left in the game as the UMD women’s hockey pull off the upset win on the road against Ohio State 1-0 Friday night. Sophomore goaltender Jojo Chobak made her first career start in net and finished with 27 saves in the shutout win. Categories: College,…

Team Peterson Motivated to Bring Home Gold in Women’s Curling at 2022 Olympics

Team USA will begin their quest for gold on February 9th.

EVELETH, Minn. – We are just a few weeks away from the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. And while a lot of attention will be directed at Team USA’s men’s curling team, the women have their eyes on bring home gold as well. Team Peterson is led by skipper and St. Paul native Tabitha Peterson, with her sister Tara on…

Prep Boys Hockey: Big Wins for Hermantown, Proctor, Cloquet-Esko-Carlton

It was a good night of hockey action for the Hawks, Rails and Lumberjacks.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – George Peterson finished with a hat trick as the Hermantown boys hockey team blanked Superior 8-0 Thursday night at the Hermantown Ice Arena. In other prep boys hockey action, it was Proctor over Northern Edge 7-2 as the Rails have won ten straight. And Cloquet-Esko-Carlton picked up a road win over Duluth Marshall 4-2. Categories: High School,…

Prep Basketball: MIB Girls, Duluth East Girls/Boys All Earn Road Wins

Home court advantage was not a concern for the Rangers and Greyhounds.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Jordan Zubich led the way with 24 points as the Mountain Iron-Buhl girls basketball got the road win over Cloquet 82-48 Thursday night. In other prep girls basketball action, it was Duluth East over Duluth Marshall 49-42 and in prep boys basketball, Duluth East uses a 23-1 run to end the game as they topped Duluth Denfeld…

Suffocating Defense Key for UMD Women’s Basketball Team During Four-Game Win Streak

The Bulldogs are on a four-game win streak and in that stretch that are allowing just under 46 points per game while holding their opponents to just 29% shooting from the field.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD women’s basketball team is currently tied with St. Cloud State for the best record in the NSIC. The Bulldogs are 11th in team scoring so how are they 10-2? It’s all about defense. UMD is on a four-game win streak and in that stretch that are allowing just under 46 points per game while holding…

UMD Women’s Hockey Aiming for Fast Start Against Ohio State

The last time these two teams met was back in early December when they split their series at Amsoil Arena.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD women’s hockey team will be on the road this weekend as they’ll take on #2 ranked Ohio State. The last time these two teams met was back in early December when they split their series at Amsoil Arena. And the Bulldogs know what needs to be done if they want to extend their four-game win…