Friday Night Frenzy

Top Play of the Week: 1/5

A.J. Reyelts was stellar all week in net for Proctor.

DULUTH, Minn.- This week’s top play comes on the ice. A.J. Reyelts was stellar all week in net for Proctor. He had a 46 save performance against Hermantown and then he would follow that up with 35 save outing against Denfeld. Include one snag in a two on one against the Hunters. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Coaches Corner: Cliff Knettel

Fifth-year head coach with Duluth Boys Swim & Dive team

DULUTH, Minn.- For this week’s Coaches Corner, we caught up with Cliff Knettel, the head coach of the Duluth boys swim & dive team. Knettel is in his fifth year as the head coach of the co-op program (Duluth East and Duluth Denfeld). The swim team will be competing at a meet in Superior on Saturday, December 30 before hosting…

Besonen’s Long-Range Shooting Leads to UWS Holiday Classic Win

Yellowjackets to face St. Norbert Saturday

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Despite some early-game struggles on offense, the UW-Superior women’s basketball team found their groove enroute to a 60-44 win over Marian in day one of the Superior Shootout Holiday Classic. At the end of the first quarter, the Yellowjackets trailed 8-6, making only two field goals. However, Elise Besonen came alive in the final three quarters, sinking five…

Boys Hockey: Denfeld, Proctor Claim Holiday Tournament Titles

Hunters 8-3-1, Rails 9-4 overall

DULUTH, Minn.- Both host teams from two of the biggest high school boys hockey holiday tournaments in the Northland came out as champions on Friday. Duluth Denfeld defeated Cloquet-Esko-Carlton 5-4 in overtime to claim the Heritage Holiday Classic Championship. The Hunters previously defeated Irondale 4-1 and Park of Cottage Grove 3-2 to earn a spot in the championship game. Meanwhile,…

Top Plays of the Week: 12/29

At number one, River Freeman was playing hockey for Hermantown but he decides to take a baseball swing for the goal in Wednesday's victory over Delano.

DULUTH, Minn.- Top plays this week came from both the ice and the hardwood. At number two, Duluth Marshall forward Brooks Johnson makes it a one man fast break and the slam in Tuesday’s game versus East Central. At number one, River Freeman was playing hockey for Hermantown but he decides to take a baseball swing for the goal in…

Men’s Hockey: St. Scholastica & UW-Superior to Meet in Superior Showdown Title Game

The title game is set for Saturday at 7:05 PM at Wessman Arena.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The St. Scholastica and UW-Superior men’s hockey teams will get to renew their rivalry on Saturday. On Friday, St. Scholastica would defeat Dubuque 5 to 1 and UW-Superior would top Marian 2 to 1 in the semifinals of the Superior Showdown. For the Saints, they were led by Filimon Ledenkov, who had two goals in the victory. As…

Rosemount Plays Grinch in Hermantown’s First Loss of Season

Irish outshot Hawks 43-31

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- After the first two periods ended in ties, the Rosemount Irish scored two goals in the third period to defeat Hermantown 3-1. This marks the Hawks’ first loss of the 2023-24 season. Hermantown (4-1-2) will play three games in three days, starting with a home matchup against Delano, following another home game against East Grand Forks on Thursday….

Coaches Corner: Cam Berger

Berger is in his first season leading the Hilltoppers.

DULUTH, Minn.- In this week’s Coaches Corner, we caught up with Duluth Marshall head boys basketball coach Cam Berger. Berger is in his first season leading the Hilltoppers. Duluth Marshall is 3-2 so far this season. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Top Plays of the Week: 12/22

At number one, Duluth Marshall's Aaden Westerbur goes off the glass to his teammate Brooks Johnson, who skies up for the putback dunk.

DULUTH, Minn.- Top plays this week came from both the ice and the hardwood. At number two, Kylie DeBay for Grand Rapids/Greenway nets the short-handed goal in Tuesday’s 6-2 victory over Duluth. At number one, Duluth Marshall’s Aaden Westerbur goes off the glass to his teammate Brooks Johnson, who skies up for the putback dunk. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

Coaches Corner: Jeff Laspi

Four-year head coach with Proctor boys hockey

PROCTOR, Minn.- In this week’s Coaches Corner, we caught up with Proctor boys’ hockey head coach Jeff Laspi. Laspi is in his fourth season as the Rails’ head coach and previously served as an assistant coach with the Proctor/Hermantown girls hockey team. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Prep Hockey: Zephyrs Zip Past Lumberjacks, Mirage Run Down Rockford

Proctor/Hermantown improves to 5-5-1

CLOQUET, Minn.- The Cloquet/Esko/Carlton boys hockey team suffered their first loss on their home ice this season to the Defending Class A State Champion Mahtomedi Zephyrs. Mahtomedi got on the board quickly with a goal 52 seconds into the first period. CEC would respond with a power play goal, but two more goals from the Zephyrs would seal the 4-1…

Top Plays: 12/15

At number one, Reagan Zywicki gets goal number one as a member of the Mirage in Friday's victory over Delano/Rockford.

DULUTH, Minn.- Three top plays this week and all three would happen on the ice. At number three, Cloquet-Esko-Carlton’s Bobby Thornton would score thanks to a little back and forth action with teammate Niko Gentilini. At number two, Duluth Marshall goaltender Kaenan Smith would lay out to stop a Hermantown scoring threat in Tuesday’s contest. At number one, Reagan Zywicki…

Chisholm Girls Hoops Handles Duluth Denfeld to Improve to 5-0 on Season

Chisholm (5-0) will next play at Ely on December 18th.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Chisholm girls basketball team continued their winning ways on Friday, defeating Duluth Denfeld 63 to 27. The Bluestreaks were led by Tresa Baumgard, who had 28 points in the victory. Chisholm (5-0) will next play at Ely on December 18th. Duluth Denfeld (1-5) will face Barnum on December 27th as part of the Chisholm Holiday Tournament. Categories:…

Top Plays: 12/8

Duluth Marshall's Thorson scores backhand goal following steal

DULUTH, Minn.- A pair of bigtime basketball plays and a show-stopping goal made the cut for this week’s top plays. At number three, UW-Superior’s J’Vaun Walker scored the Yellowjackets’ first points on a baseline spin that led to an easy layup. Despite Walker’s 22 points, UWS fell to Crown College 67-58. At number two, Duluth Denfeld’s Marnaries Ferguson stole a…

UWS Men Fall Short to Crown, Women Freeze Out Polars in Blowout

Men 6-2 overall, women improve to 4-4

SUPERIOR, Wis.- It was a tale of two games for UWS’s basketball teams as the men fell to Crown College while the women delivered a convincing win Friday evening. The UWS men’s 67-58 defeat is only their second loss of the season as they are now 6-2 overall. The ‘Jackets were able to close the Polars’ deficit in the second…

Coaches Corner: Jason Schmitz

Schmitz is currently in his 3rd season as coach of the Saints.

DULUTH, Minn.- In this week’s Coaches Corner, we caught up with St. Scholastica women’s basketball head coach, Jason Schmitz. Schmitz is currently in his 3rd season as coach of the Saints. The team is off to a 3-4 start so far this season. Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

#5 CSS Men’s Hockey Improves to 9-0 with 8 to 1 Victory Over Northland

CSS was led by Jacob Seitz and Arkhip Ledenkov, who each had two goals in the victory.

DULUTH, Minn.- The St. Scholastica men’s hockey team continued their winning ways on Friday, defeating Northland 8 to 1. CSS was led by Jacob Seitz and Arkhip Ledenkov, who each had two goals in the victory. St. Scholastica (9-0) will next play Dubuque as part of the Superior Showdown on December 29th. Northland (1-13) aims to bounce back on Saturday…

Coaches Corner: Al Denman

Cloquet-Esko Wrestling fueled by youth, senior leadership

CLOQUET, Minn.- In this week’s Coaches Corner, we caught up with Head Coach Al Denman of Cloquet-Esko Wrestling. Denman has been the Lumberjacks’ head coach since their wrestling program was founded in 2005. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Top Play: 12/1

Denfeld's Altona lays out for block

DULUTH, Minn.- This week’s top play goes to Duluth Denfeld’s Aiden Altona in Friday night’s game against Kasson-Mantorville. Early in the first half, Altona blocked a layup off the backboard, sending the basketball in the opposite direction. Altona left the game following the play with an apparent knee injury, but returned to the bench to cheer on his team in…

Three Goal Third Period Helps UMD Men’s Hockey End Eight-Game Winless Streak

The UMD men's hockey team is back in the win column for the first time since October 21st.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s hockey team is back in the win column for the first time since October 21st. On Friday, the Bulldogs would use a three goal third period to take down Omaha 4 to 2. UMD had four different goal-scorers in the contest. The two teams will meet again with puck drop at 5:07 PM. Categories: College,…

Top Play: 11/17

Marshall's Lian puts Hilltoppers ahead with goal

CLOQUET, Minn.- This week’s top play of the week comes from a Thursday night girls hockey game between Duluth Marshall and Cloquet/Esko/Carlton. After a scoreless first period, Marshall’s Avery Lian put the Hilltoppers on the board after intercepting a pass and shooting the puck above the goaltender’s shoulder and into the net. Lian would go on to score another goal…

#8 UMD Women Lose Sixth Straight to #4 Gophers

Outshot Minnesota 33-32

DULUTH, Minn.- The #4 UMD women’s hockey team had their six-game winning streak come to an end Friday evening as they fell 3-1 to the #8 Minnesota Gophers. Despite the loss, the Bulldogs outshot the Gophers 33-32. Their lone goal was scored by Hanna Baskin in the third period off an assist from Danielle Burgen. UMD will have a chance…

Coaches Corner: Kory Deadrick

Deadrick is entering his 3rd year at the helm for the Spartans.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- In this week’s Coaches Corner, we hear from Superior head boys basketball coach, Kory Deadrick. Deadrick is entering his 3rd year at the helm for the Spartans. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

UWS Men’s Hockey Falls in WIAC Conference Opener to UW-River Falls

Blake Holmes would have the lone goal for the Yellowjackets.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The UW-Superior men’s hockey was unable to get their 2nd win of the season on Friday, falling to UW-River Falls 2 to 1. Blake Holmes would have the lone goal for the Yellowjackets. UWS (1-5) will next play at UW-Stout on Saturday. Puck drop is at 7 PM. Categories: College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

UWS Men’s Hoops Look Strong in Home-Opening Win Over UW-La Crosse

Four Yellowjackets score 15+ points

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The UW-Superior men’s basketball team are now 2-0 to start the season with Friday’s 76-68 win over UW-La Crosse at Mertz Motorelli Gymnasium. J’Vaun Walker led UWS in scoring with 18 points. Meanwhile, Reid Johnson and Josef Fahrenoltz each tallied 17 points while Joey Barker added 16 points, along with a whopping seven steals. As part of the…

UWS Men’s Hockey Drops Fourth-Straight in Home Opener

Yellowjackets back on home ice Saturday night

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The UW-Superior men’s hockey team remains winless four games into the 2023-24 season as they were shut out 2-0 against Bethel in their home opener. This marks the first time the Yellowjackets have started 0-4 since the 2017-18 season. UWS went on to finish that season with a 9-15-3 record. This was the first game of a back-to-back,…

Top Play of the Week: 11/10

This week’s top play comes from the girls high school soccer all-star game on Monday.

DULUTH, Minn.- This week’s top play comes from the girls high school soccer all-star game on Monday. Duluth East senior Kendall Wittmers-Graves gets the deep shot to go and even celebrates in style. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

Coaches Corner: Chad Salmela

Named 2023 MIAC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year

DULUTH, Minn.- In this week’s Coaches Corner, we hear from St. Scholastica Cross Country Head Coach Chad Salmela as the Saints get ready for NCAA Regionals on Saturday, November 11 in Colfax, Wisconsin. Salmela has been the Saints’ cross country coach since 2016. Before that, he coached CSS’s nordic ski team for 10 seasons. Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Friday Night…

Big First Period Propels #4 North Dakota Past #18 UMD Men’s Hockey

Both teams will meet again on Saturday with puck drop at 6:07 PM.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s hockey team would find themselves down early against North Dakota on Friday. Ultimately, it would be enough as the Fighting Hawks took game one 4 to 2. Luke Loheit and Anthony Menghini were the goal-scorers for the Bulldogs. Both teams will meet again on Saturday with puck drop at 6:07 PM. Categories: College, Friday Night…

Breck Spoils Home & Season Opener for Duluth Northern Stars

Ellie Marciniak and Mae McCall would each find the back of the net for Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Northern Stars girls hockey team opened up their season on Friday, unfortunately it didn’t go their way as Breck picked up the 5 to 2 victory. Ellie Marciniak and Mae McCall would each find the back of the net for Duluth. Senior goalie Ella Brisbois reached history in the contest, tallying her 1,000th career save. Duluth…

UMD Women Outshoot Tommies, Improve to 7-2

UMD men fall to Gophers at Mariucci

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD women’s hockey team has captured their fifth-straight win, defeating St. Thomas 3-1 on Friday. The Bulldogs got off to a 2-0 start in the first period while outshooting the Tommies 21-10. UMD and St. Thomas will square off again Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, the UMD men fell on the road to the Minnesota Gophers 3-1. They’ll have…

Top Plays: 11/3

McMahon scores on breakaway, Sleen slips away for 66

DULUTH, Minn.- This week’s top plays feature a pair of impressive scores from a college captain and a high school footballer. At number two, UMD’s Mannon McMahon scored a goal unassisted on a breakaway in the first period against St. Thomas. The Bulldogs women’s hockey team would go on to win 3-1. At number one, Hermantown’s Martin Sleen dodged tacklers…

Coaches Corner: Rich McKenna

McKenna is entering his 8th season at the helm for the Yellowjackets.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- In this week’s Coaches Corner, we caught up with UW-Superior head men’s hockey coach, Rich McKenna. McKenna is entering his 8th season at the helm for the Yellowjackets. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

Prep Football: Hermantown, Deer River, & Northwestern See Season’s End

One team that did punch their ticket to state on Friday was Mountain Iron-Buhl. The Rangers are heading to state for the 6th straight year.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Hermantown football team wasn’t able to return the favor to North Branch on Friday, falling to the Vikings 28 to 21 in the Section 7AAAA title game. This is the 2nd straight season the Vikings have advanced to the state tournament. Weirdly enough, both of the contests that Hermantown and North Branch met up this season, ended…

UWS Volleyball Falls in Four on Swarm Night

Yellow Jackets' third-straight loss

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The UW-Superior volleyball team was unable to keep up with Minnesota Morris on Swarm Night, falling in four sets on Friday. In the defeat, Maiana Stark led the Yellow Jackets with 14 kills. Ayla Oltmanns added 12 kills while Kaylin Plautz contributed with 11. Defensively, Jenna Anderson tallied 34 digs. Plautz, Sydney Smith and Marena Saeger each recorded…

Coaches Corner: Jon Nelson

Lake Superior Conference Championships this Saturday in Superior

PROCTOR, Minn.- In this week’s Coaches Corner, we caught up with Proctor Hermantown girls swimming head coach Jon Nelson as his team prepares for the Lake Superior Conference Championships. Proctor Hermantown will also compete in the Sectional Championship November 9-11 in Hibbing. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Top Play: 10/27

Moorjani's header gives Bulldogs senior day win

DULUTH, Minn.- This week’s top play goes to the UMD soccer team for their game-winning goal Sunday against the University of Sioux Falls. With three minutes left, Lauren Hansen’s corner kick went straight to Myra Moorjani, whose header found the back of the net, giving UMD a 2-1 victory. Categories: College, Plays of the Week, Sports

Esko Volleyball Advances to Sectional Semis, Downs Pine City in Four Sets

Facing Mesabi East Wednesday Night

ESKO, Minn.- The Esko volleyball team is still alive in the playoff hunt as they defeated Pine City in four sets in Friday’s Section 7AA quarterfinal match. This marks Esko’s 10th-straight victory, which spans back to September 28. Esko will now head to Mesabi East in the Sectional semifinals on Wednesday, November 1. Last year, Esko made it as far…

Prep Football: Northwestern Advances to Level 3 with Victory Over Stanley-Boyd

Next up for the Tigers, they'll host St. Croix Falls in Level 3 action on November 3rd. Kickoff is at 7 PM.

MAPLE, Wis.- The Northwestern football team is moving on to the next round after defeating Stanley-Boyd 58 to 48 in Level 2 on Friday. Next up for the Tigers, they’ll host St. Croix Falls in Level 3 action on November 3rd. Kickoff is at 7 PM. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

UWS Women’s Hockey Rallies Past Lawrence in Home Opener

The two teams will meet again on Saturday. Puck drop is at 2 PM.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- After trailing to Lawrence on Friday, the UWS women’s hockey team rallied back to win in their home opener, 2 to 1. Cora Coz and Brynn MacLean would light the lamp in the victory for the Yellowjackets. The two teams will meet again on Saturday. Puck drop is at 2 PM. Categories: College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

Top Plays: 10/20

Bailey scores goal, Schott completes deep ball, Perich returns punt for TD

DULUTH, Minn.- A long-range sectional final goal and two eye-catching touchdowns make the grade in this week’s top plays. At number three, Cloquet/Esko/Carlton’s Joseph Bailey knocked in a goal against Grand Rapids to put the Lumberjacks up 1-0. C-E-C would win 2-1 and advance to the state tournament. At number two, Hermantown’s Alex Schott completed a 52-yard touchdown pass to…

Coaches Corner: Heidi Anderson

The Lumberjacks are heading into section play with twenty plus wins under their belt.

CLOQUET, Minn.- On this week’s Coaches Corner, we caught up Heidi Anderson, the head coach of the Cloquet volleyball team. The Lumberjacks are heading into section play with twenty plus wins under their belt. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy

Northwestern Cruises Past Elk Mound in Playoff Opener

Seventh-straight Level 1 victory

MAPLE, Wis.- The Northwestern Tigers are headed to the next round of the playoffs after defeating Elk Mound 44-12 Friday. Cooper Lawton scored the Tigers’ first touchdown before Ethan Harms made it a two-score game with a quarterback sneak at the goalline. The Tigers will face Stanley-Boyd on their home turf on Friday, October 27.   Categories: Friday Night Frenzy,…

Mavericks Pull Upset Over Bulldogs Volleyball

First-set win not enough for UMD

DULUTH, Minn.- Despite coming into Friday night’s matchup as the favorites, the UMD Bulldogs were unable to keep up with Minnesota State, falling in four sets. The Bulldogs won the first set, but struggled to contain the Mavericks in sets two through four. They’ll look to get back on track Saturday afternoon against second-ranked Concordia St. Paul. Categories: College, Friday…

Power Plays Rule the Day in Bulldogs’ Win over Beavers

Three PP goals by UMD in first period

DULUTH, Minn.- It didn’t take long for UMD’s men’s hockey team to show their special teams dominance in Friday’s 4-0 win over Bemidji State. The Bulldogs scored three goals in the first period, all of which came on power plays. UMD will have another go at the Beavers Saturday night in Bemidji. Categories: College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

Top Plays: 10/13

Esko's Perich takes interception other way for pick-six

DULUTH, Minn.- Esko dominated the conversation in this week’s top plays. At number two, Gwendolyn Lilly scored a goal on an impressive header off a free kick from Abrianna Madill Monday against Two Harbors. At number one, Koi Perich returned an interception against Hermantown for a touchdown in the first quarter. He would go on to record another pick-six in…

Coaches Corner: Otto Berti

SUPERIOR, Wis.- On this week’s Coaches Corner, we caught up with Otto Berti, the head coach of the Superior boys’ soccer team. The Spartans ended their 2023 regular season with an 8-6-4 record and will play D.C. Everest in WIAA Regionals on Tuesday, October 17. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports