Sports

UMD Men’s Hockey Series Against Miami Postponed

The series is now re-scheduled for January 29th and 30th in Oxford.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD men’s hockey team announced Wednesday that their upcoming road series at Miami (OH) has been postponed. According to a press release, the decision was made due to a combination of positive COVID-19 tests, contact tracing and subsequent quarantining of players within the program. The series is now re-scheduled for January 29th and 30th in Oxford….

Duluth Denfeld Boys Hockey Set To Open Season Against Rivals Duluth East

Puck drop for Thursday night's game at the Duluth Heritage Center is set for 7 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – We are just two days away from the start of the winter season for Minnesota prep sports. And one team that’s got high expectations is the Duluth Denfeld boys hockey team. The Hunters are coming off a very successful campaign last year, making it all the way to the section title game for the first time since…

Families Enjoy Warmer Winter on Proctor Sledding Hill

During winter, the Proctor Golf Course becomes a popular spot for families to go sledding down.

PROCTOR, Minn. – There’s nothing quite like hopping on a sled and going down a big hill. “It’s great, it’s just what the doctor ordered,” Sandra Benney and her family said. Many families have decided to hit the Proctor sledding hill to enjoy some time outside. “With the kids distance learning, we call this gym class, physical education. We come…

Superior Boys Basketball Outlast Northwestern in OT Thriller

Seniors Kaden Kimmes and Lars Olson combined to score 46 points in the Spartans win.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Senior Kaden Kimmes would hit the go-ahead basket in the final seconds and finish with 24 points as the Superior boys basketball topped Northwestern 80-79 in overtime Monday night. Lars Olson chipped in with 22 points for the Spartans, who picked up their first win of the season. CJ Thompson led the Tigers with 29 points, while…

UMD Women’s Basketball Cancel Upcoming Road Series Against U-Mary

Per NSIC scheduling guidelines for this season, this weekend's series between the Bulldogs and the Marauders will not be rescheduled.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD women’s basketball team announced Monday that their road series versus the University of Mary has been canceled due to COVID-19 protocols. According to a press release, due to previous exposure and testing protocols within the UMD women’s basketball program, the Bulldogs will not travel to Mary. Per NSIC scheduling guidelines for this season, this weekend’s…

MDH-Approved Hockey Masks Now Available at Northland Sports Supply Stores

The approve masks have three velcro straps which attach to the hockey helmet cages, making the masks easier to breath in and they stay put while playing.

DULUTH, Minn. – As masks are required for winter sports, there are some special masks available for hockey players to wear. Minnesota Hockey and the Minnesota Department of Health, with the Hockey Equipment Certification Council, have approved CCM Game On and Bauer Return to Play masks, which are both available for purchase at Play It Again Sports in Duluth. Both…

Biondi, Stejskal Have Strong Home Debuts at AMSOIL Arena

Hermantown native Blake Biondi scored his first collegiate goal on Friday night while Cohasset native Zach Stejskal made 20 saves while allowing one goal on Saturday.

DULUTH, Minn. – This was not the home opening weekend that the UMD men’s hockey team was hoping for by getting swept by St. Cloud State. But it was a weekend to remember for the new guys. Two rookies scored their first career goals while one had a stellar home debut in net. Forwards Luke Mylymok and Blake Biondi both…

Wilderness Release Updated 2021 Schedule

The Wilderness are scheduled to resume their season on the road on Friday then finally hold their home opener on Sunday, Jan. 17. The Wilderness will wrap up the regular season at home on May 15.

CLOQUET, Minn. – The Minnesota Wilderness have announced their full schedule for the remainder of the 2021 season, planning to return to action this upcoming weekend. The Wilderness have played in just three games this season and returned to practice this past Monday. The Wilderness will return to game action on Friday and will finally hold their home opener next…

UMD Women’s Basketball Sweeps Minot State to Stay Undefeated

Brooke Olson led all scorers with 27 points while Sarah Grow finished with 16 points and Ann Simonet scored 14 as the Bulldogs improve to 3-0 on the season.

DULUTH, Minn. – Brooke Olson led all scorers with 27 points as the UMD women’s basketball team got the 72-57 win over Minot State on Saturday to sweep the weekend series. The Bulldogs were once again only playing with nine players due to COVID-19 quarantine protocols. Sarah Grow finished with 16 points while Ann Simonet finished with 14 points. UMD…

St. Cloud State Men’s Hockey Tops UMD in Overtime

Cohasset native Zach Stejskal made his second career start in net, first at home, and finished with 20 saves.

DULUTH, Minn. – It would require overtime to see any scoring, but Nick Perbix scored the lone goal to give No. 6 St. Cloud State the 1-0 win over No. 5 Minnesota Duluth on Saturday to sweep the weekend series. Cohasset native Zach Stejskal made his second start in net, first at home, and finished with 20 saves. This wraps…

Northwestern Boys Basketball Rolls Past Barron

Harrison Nelson led the Tigers with 15 points as they improve to 7-2 on the season.

MAPLE, Wis. – The Northwestern boys basketball continued to dominate, getting the 81-59 win over Barron on Saturday for its third straight win. Harrison Nelson led the Tigers with 15 points while Cole Lahti scored 14 points and John Grohn finished with 13. The Tigers improve to 7-2 on the season and is scheduled to host Superior on Monday. Categories:…

Superior Boys Hockey Falls to Chippewa Falls

Chippewa Falls scored late in the third period to hand Superior its second loss of the season.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior boys hockey team fell just short at home on Saturday, as Chippewa Falls got the 4-3 win. The Spartans fall to 1-2 on the season. Superior is scheduled to return to action on Tuesday at Wausau West. Categories: High School, Sports

Coaches Corner: Northland Coaches Talk Start of Winter Practices

For this week's segment, we hear from local head coaches on the start of winter sports practices.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, Northland head coaches talk about the start of the winter sports season. We hear from Hermantown hockey coach Patrick Andrews, CEC girls hockey coach Courtney Olin, Proctor girls basketball coach Matt Solberg and Duluth East boys basketball coach Rhett McDonald. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

UMD Men’s Hockey Drop Home Opener to St. Cloud State

Luke Mylymok and Blake Biondi each scored their first career goals while senior Nick Swaney capped off a three-goal second period

DULUTH, Minn. – For the first time in ten months, the UMD men’s hockey team played a game on their home ice at Amsoil Arena. But St. Cloud State spoiled the party as the Huskies held on for a 4-3 win Friday night. Luke Mylymok and Blake Biondi each scored their first career goals while senior Nick Swaney capped off…

Ashland Boys Basketball Spoil Opening Night for Superior

Kevon Powell led the Oredockers with 20 points while John Bochler and Alec Lindberg combined for 33.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Ashland boys basketball team picked up the road win Friday night over Superior 74-71 in overtime. Kevon Powell led the Oredockers with 20 points while John Bochler and Alec Lindberg combined for 33 in the winning effort. On the Spartans side, Kaden Kimmes led all scorers with 27 points. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

UMD Women’s Basketball Rolls Past Minot State in Home Opener

Brooke Olson finished with 22 points while Taytum Rhoades scored a career-high 19 points as they led a short-handed Bulldogs squad to a home-opening win.

DULUTH, Minn. – After getting their second game of the season canceled last weekend, the UMD women’s basketball team picked up right where they left off on opening night, getting the 83-65 win over Minot State in their season opener. The Bulldogs were short on players on Friday night, with just nine players available due to quarantine protocols after a…

Grand Rapids’ Jack Peart To Rejoin Thunderhawks Hockey Team

Peart and the Thunderhawks will open their season next Thursday against Cloquet-Esko-Carlton.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Now that the Minnesota prep hockey season is set to begin next week, junior hockey players who are still in high school have to decide whether to stay or go back. Grand Rapids defenseman Jack Peart played in eleven games with the Fargo Force and he has decided to return to the Thunderhawks. But he says…

UMD Men’s Hockey To Host St. Cloud State in Home Opener

Puck drop for Friday night's game is set for 7:30 p.m. and it will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD men’s hockey team will be back in action this weekend and for the second straight week, the Bulldogs will take on St. Cloud state. Head coach Scott Sandelin says the only difference this week will be playing on a much smaller sheet of ice. “Sometimes when you catch those teams that are playing on the…

Northwestern Boys Basketball Earn Home Win Over Chetek-Weyerhaueser

Five players finished with double-digits as the Tigers picked up the win at home.

MAPLE, Wis. – Monte Mayberry led the way with 20 points as the Northwestern boys basketball team knocked off Chetek-Weyerhaueser 87-40 Thursday night. Aiden Kroeplin finished with 11 points while John Grohn, Bennett Nelson and Jase Nelson all chipped in with 10 points as well. The Tigers improve to 6-2 as they’ll host Barron on Saturday night. Categories: High School,…

UMD Volleyball Ranked 6th in First National Poll of the Season

UMD finished the 2019 season also ranked sixth in the poll.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD volleyball team come in at #6 in the first national poll of the season from the American Volleyball Coaches Association. UMD finished the 2019 season also ranked sixth in the poll. Last year, the Bulldogs were ranked in the Top 25 Coaches’ poll for the entirety of the season, finishing with a 25-7 record overall….

Minnesota Wilderness Announce January Home Schedule

The team has yet to play a home game at the Northwoods Credit Union Arena in Cloquet.

CLOQUET, Minn. – The Minnesota Wilderness announced Thursday their home schedule for the month of January. Their first home game will be January 17th against the Austin Bruins. The Wilderness will also be at home on the 23rd against the Bruins, the 24th against the Kenai River Brown Bears, the 30th again against Austin and the 31st against the Minnesota…

Duluth Denfeld’s Keegan Chastey Named to United Soccer Coaches All-Region Team

The forward wrapped up his career with the Hunters recording 66 goals and 67 assists, which are both team records,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Denfeld’s Keegan Chastey has been named to the 2020 United Soccer Coaches Fall Boys High School All-Great Lakes Region Team. The forward wrapped up his career with the Hunters recording 66 goals and 67 assists, which are both team records, and scored a goal in the section championship game this past season. Chastey was also a…

Northland High School Basketball Teams Talk About Difficulties With Mask Requirements

Coaches now have to think about how to deal with these issues, including how to maximize the time players have in dead ball situations.

DULUTH, Minn. – With the dialing back of restrictions from governor Tim Walz, the hope was that the same would be done for some restrictions on sports, specifically mask wearing. But that won’t be changing anytime soon. This week as teams begin official practices, we asked local basketball players for their reaction to that requirement. “It’s really hard at first….

UMD Women’s Basketball Head Into Home Opener Shorthanded Due to Quarantine Guidelines

The Bulldogs will host Minot State Friday night in their home opener at Romano Gym.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD women’s basketball team are coming off of a cancelled game on Sunday, but thanks to contact tracing, they’ll have enough players to compete this upcoming weekend in their home opener. Head coach Mandy Pearson did admit that the situation this past weekend did feel a lot like last March, when the NCAA tournament was cancelled…

UMD Men’s Basketball Team Talk Impressive Season Opener Despite Sunday’s Cancellation

The Bulldogs will not be in action this weekend as their series against Minot State was cancelled.

DULUTH, Minn. – This week, the majority of the UMD men’s basketball team will be in quarantine after being exposed to players from Winona State during their season opener this past weekend against the Warriors. The Bulldogs spoke Wednesday to get a sense of what it was like leading up to Sunday’s cancellation. “We just got done with shoot-around and…

Duluth East Boys Basketball Looking to Live Up to High Expectations

The Greyhounds will travel to Grand Rapids next Thursday for their season opener.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth East boys basketball team is coming into this season with high expectations. The Greyhounds are always in contention for the section, but have struggled to get over the hump. This season though, they feel a different vibe of determination, especially among the seniors. “Coach is still pretty intense. We’re getting after it. He’s pretty like…

Big Shoes to Fill for This Year’s Proctor Girls Basketball Team

The Rails will open their season next Thursday at Superior.

PROCTOR, Minn. – Minnesota high school basketball teams kicked off the first week of official practices, including the Proctor girls. The Rails will have some big shoes to fill as they will look to replace arguably their most successful senior class in program history. And while this year’s squad isn’t experienced on the varsity level, many of them were part…

Prep Girls Basketball: Spartans Win Season Opener, Plasch Leads Tigers over Hurricanes

Superior got a narrow win over South Shore in their season opener while Tieryn Plasch scored 22 points in Northwestern's home win over Hayward.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – After a long wait, the Superior girls basketball team returned to the court on Tuesday in a big way, hanging on to beat South Shore 60-59. The Spartans are scheduled to return to action on Saturday at Eau Claire North. In other prep basketball action, the Northwestern girls rebounded from a tough loss last week in a…

Superior Boys Hockey Drop Season Opener to Eau Claire North

Senior forward Ethan Welch scored the lone goal for the Spartans.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Senior forward Ethan Welch would score the first goal within the first minute of the game, but Eau Claire North would cruise the rest of the way as they top the Spartans 7-1 Tuesday night at Wessman Arena. The Spartans will look for better results Thursday night as they travel to Amery. Categories: High School, Sports

Visitors Enjoy Snow-Covered Hartley Nature Center

The Harley Nature Center has many different trails so visitors can go skiing, biking, hiking and more.

DULUTH, Minn. – After Duluth received over eight inches of snow the other week, Northlanders are out taking advantage of the conditions at the Hartley Nature Center. “Winter’s my favorite season so just always enjoyed the peaceful desolation of winter and being up here there’s so many outdoor things to do even in the winter, it’s a lot of fun,”…

Duluth Denfeld’s Owen Wilcox Commits to LSC Men’s Soccer

Wilcox is another in a long line of former Gitchi Gummi soccer players who are moving on to the collegiate level.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Denfeld’s Owen Wilcox has committed to joining the Lake Superior College men’s soccer team. The midfielder finished with 14 total points in two years on the Hunters varsity squad. But head coach Scott Anderson says Wilcox was often the second or third assist on many goals and was a big part of Denfeld’s section championship win…

Northland High School Hockey Teams Begin First Official Practices

After weeks of delays and postponements, high school hockey practices began for teams all across the Northland.

CLOQUET, Minn. – The wait is over as the practices are officially underway for Northland hockey teams, including the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton girls. “I was super excited. I’ve been thinking about it. We’ve got a countdown on our Instagram page. We’ve been counting down for about two weeks now. Super excited to get back into it,” said senior Lauren Sertich. “I think…

UMD Men’s Basketball Series vs. Minot State Cancelled

Per the NSIC's scheduling guidelines for this season, the games will not be made up.

DULUTH, Minn. – Some tough news for the UMD men’s basketball team as the NSIC announced Monday that the Bulldogs series this upcoming weekend at Minot State has been cancelled. This comes after UMD’s second game against Winona State this past weekend was cancelled after positive tests came up on the Warrior’s roster. Per the NSIC’s scheduling guidelines for this…

Late Goals Gives St. Cloud State Win Over UMD Men’s Hockey Team

Jackson Cates scored the lone goal for the Bulldogs as the two teams split the weekend series. UMD will host St. Cloud State next weekend at AMSOIL Arena.

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The No. 6 St. Cloud State men’s hockey team scored twice in the final seven minutes to get the 3-1 win over the fourth-ranked UMD men’s hockey team to split the weekend series. Jackson Cates scored the lone goal for the Bulldogs, early in the third on the power play. That was the first power play…

Sunday UMD Basketball Games Against Winona State Canceled

Both UMD basketball games against Winona State on Sunday have been canceled due to positive COVID-19 tests within the Winona State program.

DULUTH, Minn. – UMD Athletics announced on Sunday afternoon that both basketball games against Winona State have been canceled due to positive COVID-19 tests within the Winona State men’s basketball program. The UMD men were set to finish out their weekend series at home on Sunday against the Warriors, while the women were scheduled to play Sunday afternoon at Winona….

Noah Cates Scores in Overtime as UMD Men’s Hockey Tops St. Cloud State

Tanner Laderoute, Nick Swaney, Kobe Roth and Noah Cates all scored as the Bulldogs open the second half of the season with a road win over St. Cloud State.

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Captain Noah Cates scored two minutes into overtime to give the N0. 3 UMD men’s hockey team the 4-3 win over No. 6 St. Cloud State to open the second half of the season. UMD jumped out to an early lead but a five-minute major penalty gave St. Cloud a 3-2 lead after two. Kobe Roth…

UMD Basketball Teams Dominate Winona State in Season Openers

Drew Blair led the men with 27 points while Maesyn Thiesen led the women with 15 points as both UMD squads won their season openers.

DULUTH, Minn. – As the only returning starting from last season, sophomore Drew Blair dominated on Saturday afternoon, scoring 27 points as the UMD men’s basketball team topped Winona State 81-59 in their season opener. Blair went 6-9 from three and added five rebounds. Three freshmen had stellar UMD debuts: Austin Andrews finished with 17 points while Joshua Brown had…

Coaches Corner: Justin Wieck

For this week's segment, we catch up with the head coach of the UMD men's basketball team.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we chat with UMD men’s basketball head coach Justin Wieck as the Bulldogs get their season started. Among the topics discussed are what the roster will look like this upcoming season and how the team will handle playing games during a pandemic. Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Sports, University of Minnesota – Duluth

UMD Men’s Hockey Get Set for Second Half of the Season

The Bulldogs will open things up on the road against St. Cloud State, a team the Bulldogs did not get to face in the pod.

DULUTH, Minn. – With the new year comes the return of the UMD men’s hockey team. The Bulldogs are back to practicing at Amsoil Arena after spending the majority of the month in the NCHC pod in Omaha. The team says they are excited to return to a familiar place where they can get back to their old routines. “We…

UMD Women’s Hockey Series vs. Minnesota Postponed

The Bulldogs will now have to wait until January 15th for their next series at home against Ohio State.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD women’s hockey team announced on Thursday that their upcoming series against the University of Minnesota has been postponed. The Bulldogs were set to open the second half of their season this Monday and Tuesday down at Ridder Arena against the Golden Gophers, but they will be unable to meet the minimum number of players required…

UMD Basketball Teams Ready to Return to Action

The men will open things up at home Saturday against Winona State, while the women will face the Warriors on the road.

DULUTH, Minn. – After a delayed start to their season, the UMD basketball teams will be back in action beginning this weekend. For the women, it will be their first time playing since the pandemic cancelled the NCAA tournament before they even got to play their first round game. “We do have some unfinished business because of the whole way…

Hibbing’s Parker Maki Commits to Bemidji State Men’s Basketball

Last season as a junior, Maki averaged over 10 points and six rebounds per game, helping the Bluejackets finish with a 20-8 record.

HIBBING, Minn. – Hibbing’s Parker Maki announced on Twitter this week that he has committed to joining the Bemidji State men’s basketball team. Last season as a junior, Maki averaged over 10 points and six rebounds per game, helping the Bluejackets finish with a 20-8 record. He also plays on the Playmakers North AAU basketball team. Categories: College, High School,…

Former UMD Hockey Player Bob Bell Turns Hockey Sticks Into Walking Canes

If you would like to donate any or if you know someone who needs a walking cane, contact the Duluth Heritage Center.

DULUTH, Minn. – The old saying goes: if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. Former UMD men’s hockey player Bob Bell loves hockey, just as much as he loves making things. So he decided to combine his two passions to help out others in the community. Many people who know Bell would consider…

Half-Capacity Limit Reached for 2021 Grandma’s Marathon Races

The focus turns to the possibility of adding more in-person spots if local and state restrictions on mass gatherings are loosened up.

DULUTH, Minn. – Back in October, registration was open for Grandma’s Marathon, the Garry Bjorklund Half-Marathon and the William A. Irvin 5K. The half-marathon filled up in just over 13 hours. And now the other two are full as well. Organizers announced Tuesday that all three races have reached the half-capacity limit for in-person registration. The full and half-marathons were…

Anglers Prepare as Ice Fishing Season Begins

The ice is finally frozen enough for anglers to break out the tents and ice fish safely.

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s that time of year when anglers are swapping out their boats and getting their tents out on the frozen lakes around the area. “I always liked to fish, always been a fisherman, so it’s something to do in the winter,” Jim Zawislak said. “It’s just kind of heritage: from Minnesota, land of 10 thousand lakes. It…

Superior Boys Basketball Have Some Catching Up To Do With Delayed Start to Season

The Spartans will open their season January 8th at home against Ashland.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Last week, the Superior boys basketball team returned to the court for official tryouts. Now, the final cuts are done and the Spartans officially begin practice. Superior will have some catching up to do as several teams in Wisconsin already have a few games under their belt. But that won’t be an issue for the Spartans as…

MDH Releases Updated Guidance for High School Sports

All basketball and hockey players will be required to wear masks during practices and games.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Monday, the Minnesota Department of Health released updated guidelines for winter high school sports, which will allow games to begin on January 14th. That would be ten days after practices would set to start. A big change comes in the fact that basketball and hockey players will be required to wear masks during practices and games….

Minnesota Wilderness to Resume Practices on January 4th

This means their games scheduled for this weekend, as well as next week will be postponed.

CLOQUET, Minn. – The Minnesota Wilderness announced Monday that they will be resuming practices on January 4th. This means their games scheduled for this weekend, as well as next week will be postponed. The press release also says that thanks to the NAHL’s extension of the regular season, it will give the Wilderness ample time to re-schedule those games. No…

UMD Men’s Hockey Announces Changes to Upcoming Schedule

The Bulldogs' games this upcoming weekend against St. Cloud State will no longer be a home-and-home series as both games will now take place at the Herb Brooks Arena.

DULUTH, Minn. – Monday, the NCHC announced changes that are being made to the second-half schedule, which impacts the UMD men’s hockey team. The Bulldogs’ games this upcoming weekend against St. Cloud State will no longer be a home-and-home series as both games will now take place at the Herb Brooks Arena. It will also be a Saturday-Sunday series rather…

No Time to Waste as Superior Boys Hockey Team Begins Practices

The Spartans will open their season January 5th at home against Hayward.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Good things come to those who wait. A good thing across the bridge is the high school hockey season. The Superior boys hockey team began official practices this week and not a moment too soon. The Spartans have had a delayed start to their season and with the holiday break upon us, the team will need to…