Sports

Kneepkens’s 39 Points Pushes Hilltoppers Girls Basketball Past Rebels

The Duluth Marshall girls basketball team picked up their fourth straight win at home.

DULUTH, Minn. – Junior guard Gianna Kneepkens dropped 39 points as the Duluth Marshall girls basketball team defeated Moose Lake-Willow River 88-37 Tuesday night. Senior Grace Kirk chipped in with 21 points and Dasia Starks finished with 13. The Hilltoppers improve to 12-1 on the season as they will face Ely on Saturday. Categories: High School, Sports

Prep Boys Hockey: Hunters Top Rails, Greyhounds Tie With Lakers, Hawks Win Section Title Rematch Against Raiders

Duluth Denfeld got the home win over Proctor, while Hermantown got the road win against Greenway and Duluth Denfeld skated to a 3-3 tie against Prior Lake.

DULUTH, Minn. – Shawn Easty made 19 saves as Duluth Denfeld got the 5-0 shutout win over Duluth Denfeld. Griffin Lehet scored twice, while Joe Udd, Connor McClure and John Bloomquist each scored a goal for the Hunters. In other prep boys action, Hermantown got revenge against Greenway with an 8-3 win in a section 7A final rematch while Duluth…

Bender’s Game-Winner Gives Lumberjacks Girls’ Hockey 16th Straight Win

Cloquet-Esko-Carlton has now won 16 straight and improves to 17-2 on the season.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Kiana Bender’s goal in the third gave the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton girls hockey team the 2-1 win over Hibbing/Chisholm to give the Lumberjacks their 16th straight win, a school record. Taylor Nelson scored the other goal for the Lumberjacks, while Emma Lundell scored for the Bluejackets. Cloquet-Esko-Carlton improves to 17-2-0 on the season and will host Eveleth-Gilbert on Thursday….

New Year, Same Goals for Local Boxer Ryan Watson

Watson will take on Raymond Ochieng from West Palm Beach, FL, who has 53 fights under his belt.

DULUTH, Minn. – Ryan Watson isn’t big on new year’s resolutions. But he wouldn’t mind if his 2020 is anything like his 2019. Watson had three fights last year and finished with two wins and a draw. And that was after stepping away from the ring for a few years. Watson says he was still able to keep his power,…

Grand Rapids/Greenway Girls Set for Hockey Day Minnesota

Puck drop for the game is set for 8 p.m. at the Parade Stadium in Minneapolis.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – This past summer, the Grand Rapids/Greenway Lightning were selected to participate in the 14th annual Hockey Day Minnesota where they will be playing a non-conference game out in the elements. The Lightning are the second Iron Range team to participate in Hockey Day Minnesota in the past two years. Last year, the Greenway boys hockey team…

Spartans Boys Basketball Pick Up Road Win over Eskomos

The Superior boys basketball team pulled away late to get the road win over Esko.

ESKO, Minn. – Joey Barker led the way with 15 points as the Superior boys basketball knocked off Esko 57-50 Monday night at Esko High School. The Eskomos’ James LaGarde led all scorers with 20 points. Categories: High School, Sports

Bushbaum’s OT Goal Gives Rails Boys Hockey Win Over Bluejackets

The Proctor boys hockey picked up a big home win over Hibbing/Chisholm.

PROCTOR, Minn. – Connor Bushbaum would score the game-winner in overtime as the Proctor boys hockey team knocked off Hibbing/Chisholm 2-1 Monday night at the St. Luke’s Sports and Event Center. Mitchell Ziemba would score in the opening minute for the Bluejackets, but the Rails would answer back minutes later with a Ben Harnell goal. It would stay that way…

UWS Men’s Hockey Crack National Polls for First Time Since 2012

The Yellowjackets have already surpassed their win total from last season.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Wisconsin-Superior men’s hockey team have finally cracked the national ranks for the first time since 2012. The Yellowjackets come in at #11 after picking up a pair of home wins this past weekend against Saint John’s and Concordia (Minn.). UWS is currently ranked first in the WIAC with a 5-2 record and 12-2-1 overall, already surpassing…

Superior’s Brady Herbst Commits to UMD Football

The senior wide receiver led the Spartans with 24 catches and nearly 500 yards receiving

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior football standout Brady Herbst has committed to joining the UMD football team. This past season, the senior wide receiver led the Spartans with 24 catches and nearly 500 yards receiving, and chipped in with five touchdowns as well, helping Superior advance all the way to the state semi-finals. Categories: College, High School, Sports

Hinch, Luhnow Fired for Astros’ Sign Stealing

(AP Photo/Pat Sullivan, File) HOUSTON (AP) – Houston manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow have been fired after the pair were suspended by Major League Baseball for the team’s sign-stealing during the Astros’ run to the 2017 World Series title and during the 2018 season. Commissioner Rob Manfred strongly hinted that current Boston manager Alex Cora – the…

Northern Star: Connor and Cooper McClure

For this week's segment, meet two Duluth Denfeld boys hockey players who are making big impacts in their first season on the team.

DULUTH, Minn. – Hockey is a family sport for Duluth Denfeld boys hockey forwards Cooper and Connor McClure. “Ever since we were little, our dad got us on skates around the age of three, and I think we always knew that hockey would be number one in our hearts,” Connor said. “They live next door to me so I’ve known…

Former Greyhound Ricky Lyle Commits to Army West Point Men’s Hockey

During his senior season, Lyle was third on the team with 25 points and was tied for most goals with 12.

DULUTH, Minn. – Former Duluth East co-captain Ricky Lyle announced on Twitter Sunday that he has committed to Army West Point men’s hockey. During his senior season, Lyle was third on the team with 25 points and was tied for most goals with 12. Lyle also dominated the section playoffs with a team-leading eight goals, including two in the section…

UMD Men’s Hockey Skates to 3-3 Tie With Western Michigan; Broncos Get Extra NCHC Point in Shootout

Justin Richards, Tanner Laderoute and Scott Perunovich all scored for the Bulldogs. 

DULUTH, Minn. – No. 9 UMD men’s hockey extended its unbeaten streak to six with a 3-3 tie with Western Michigan, but the Broncos would get the extra NCHC point in a shootout win. Justin Richards, Tanner Laderoute and Scott Perunovich all scored for the Bulldogs. UMD (12-6-2) will hit the road next weekend to take on St. Cloud State….

Prep Boys Hockey: Hawks Skate to 5-5 Tie With Raiders; Spartans Get Home Win Over Huskies

Hermantown tied in its third straight game while George Hansen scored the game-winner for Superior.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown boys hockey team got off to another quick start but was unable to hold on, as Hermantown and Cretin-Derham Hall finished in a 5-5 tie. Aaron Pionk, Blake Biondi, Ethan Lund, Cole Antcliff and Joey Pierce scored for the Hawks. Hermantown has now tied in its past three games. In other boys action, Superior kept…

Saints Women’s Hockey Shuts Out Pointers for First Win of 2020

Lexi Thomeczek finished with 40 saves in her 15th career shutout while Taylor Thompson scored the lone goal.

DULUTH, Minn. – Lexi Thomeczek finished with 40 saves as the St. Scholastica women’s hockey team got the 1-0 win over UW-Stevens Point in the series finale on Saturday. Taylor Thompson scored the lone goal of the evening during the first period. This is Thomeczek’s 15th career shutout and second in the past three starts. The Saints (5-6-1) will return…

UMD Men’s Hockey Start 2020 with Win Over Broncos

The Bulldogs pick up their fifth straight win.

DULUTH, Minn. – Nick Swaney would score twice as the UMD men’s hockey team opened the new year with a home win over Western Michigan 6-3 Friday night at Amsoil Arena. Quinn Olson, Tanner Laderoute, Noah Cates and Kobe Roth also scored for the Bulldogs as they push their win streak to five straight. Categories: College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports,…

Coaches Corner: Cloquet-Esko-Carlton Girls Hockey

For this week's segment, we chatted with the red-hot Lumberjacks girls hockey team.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we spoke with the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton girls hockey team, including head coach Courtney Olin and senior forwards Taylor Nelson and Kiana Bender. The Lumberjacks have won 14 straight games and look to return to the state tournament for the first time since 2009. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Fast Start Pushes UWS Men’s Hockey Past Saint John’s

The Yellowjackets would score four goals in the first period against the Johnnies.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A four-goal first period would be the difference as the Wisconsin-Superior men’s hockey team defeated Saint John’s 6-2 Friday night at Wessman Arena. The Yellowjackets had six different goal-scorers, including Troy York, Will Blake, Liam Blais, Bruno Burtzitis, Jordan Martin and Conor MacLean. Oscar Svensson was solid in net with 24 saves for UWS, who improve to…

CSS Women’s Hockey Settle for Tie with Pointers

Two goals wouldn't be enough to get the win for the Saints.

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Scholastica women’s hockey team would rally from a two-goal deficit after the first period, but couldn’t get one more in overtime as they settled for a 2-2 tie against Wisconsin-Stevens Point Friday night at Mars Lakeview Arena. Courtney Bloemke and Abby Pohlkamp each would score for the Saints, as they record their first tie of…

Prep Hockey: Hunters Boys Win; Northern Stars Fall at Home

Griffin Lehet finished with a hat trick while Jacob Snyder had a 22 save shutout in Duluth Denfeld's win over Chanhassen.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Heritage Center hosted a doubleheader of boys and girls action on Friday night, where Duluth Denfeld got the 4-0 win over Chanhassen in the boys game. Griffin Lehet finished with hat trick while Simon Davidson scored the other goal for the Hunters. Jacob Snyder finished with a 22 save shutout. Duluth Denfeld will host Proctor…

Climbing Cliffs in Snowshoes

ACTIVE ADVENTURES: Bluefin Bay Resort Activites Takes Us Along The Superior Hiking Trail

TOFTE, Minn. — In this weeks Active Adventures Bluefin Bay Resorts on Lake Superior takes Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot on a snowshoe hike up the Superior Hiking Trail Section 13, climbing cliffs to enjoy wonderful views of the Baptism River Valley. Join them as they blaze a trail through deep snow, on an advanced trail that goes uphill 450 feet….

Prep Basketball: Spartans Split Doubleheader with Greyhounds; Hawks Sweep Lumberjacks at Home

We had two doubleheaders Thursday night at Duluth East and Hermantown.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth East and Superior would split their doubleheader as the Spartans girls won 57-56 in overtime and the Greyhound boys were victorious 75-61 Thursday night. In the second doubleheader, Hermantown would sweep Cloquet as the girls won 62-46 and the Hawks boys topped the Lumberjacks 72-62. Categories: High School, Sports

Bender’s Hat Trick Gives Lumberjacks Girls Hockey 14th Straight Win

The Cloquet-Esko-Carlton girls hockey team got the home win over Duluth Marshall Thursday night.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Senior captain Kiana Bender would finish with a natural hat trick as the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton girls hockey team blanked Duluth Marshall 3-0 Thursday night at the Northwoods Credit Union Arena. The win was the Lumberjacks’ 14th straight as they improve to 14-2 on the season. They’ll take on Cambridge-Isanti on Saturday. The Hilltoppers fall to 8-7-1 as they…

UMD Men’s Hockey Open 2020 at Home Against Western Michigan

Puck drop Friday night is set for just after 7 p.m. at Amsoil Arena.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD men’s hockey team will look to keep the good times rolling as they open the new year at home this weekend. The Bulldogs went 11-6-1 in the first half of the season, ending 2019 with four straight wins. UMD is currently in second place in the NCHC as they get set for conference games from…

Lisa Karau Becomes Latest Female to Coach WI Boys Basketball

The Mosinee native spent the past two years as the head coach of the Tomahawk girls basketball team.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Last season, Ashland High School let go of boys basketball coach Robert Blaschke in the middle of the season following allegations of misconduct. The Oredockers went on to hire Lisa Karau as the new head coach. And so far this season, her team is proving a lot of people wrong. The Mosinee native spent the past two…

UMD’s Scott Sandelin Returns from World Juniors

Team USA went 3-1 in the preliminary round before falling to Finland in the first round of the playoffs.

DULUTH, Minn. – Welcome back to UMD men’s hockey coach Scott Sandelin who was in the Czech Republic coaching Team USA at the World Junior Championships. The Americans went 3-1 in the preliminary round before falling to Finland in the first round of the playoffs. Sandelin spoke Wednesday about his team’s performance. “Obviously disappointing at the end. I thought overall,…

Minnesota State Title Bout Awaits “Haitian Temptation” Al Sands

Sands will take on Phil Williams for the Minnesota State Cruiserweight title that Williams won from Sands back in 2015.

DULUTH, Minn. – The “Haitian Temptation” Al Sands is getting ready to jump back in the ring next week at the Grand Casino in Hinckley. The Duluth native is currently training at Aerial Athletics and he says this is the best he’s felt in the past two years. “We’ve had phenomenal sparring partners, phenomenal training. My coach Mike has really…

UMD’s Maura Crowell Starts New Year with Two Championship Wins

Crowell saw both Team USA and her UMD hockey team take home championships in the past week.

DULUTH, Minn. – What a start to the year it has been for UMD women’s head coach Maura Crowell. It all began last Thursday when she led Team USA to a 2-1 overtime win over Canada in the gold medal game of the U18 World Women’s Championships in Slovakia. Crowell spoke Wednesday morning For the first time since that big…

Prep Boys Hockey: Hawks, Thunderhawks Skate to 2-2 Draw; Rails Get Home Win Over Mustangs

Grand Rapids rallied to tie with Hermantown, while Reece Ward finished with a hat trick in Proctor's win.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown boys hockey team was once again unable to hold on to a late lead, as Grand Rapids scored two goals in the third to force overtime, where the game would go on to end in a 2-2 tie. Aydyn Dowd and Zach Carson scored for Hermantown in the second, while Hunter Bischoff and Jack Peart…

Prep Girls Hockey: Lumberjacks Dominate Spartans; Lightning Defeat Hilltoppers in Overtime

Mercury Bischoff scored the game-winner in overtime to give Grand Rapids/Greenway the win over Duluth Marshall while Cloquet-Esko-Carlton extended its school record win streak to 13 games.

DULUTH, Minn. – Mercury Bischoff scored the game-winner in overtime to give Grand Rapids/Greenway the 4-3 win over Duluth Marshall. In other prep girls action, Cloquet-Esko-Carlton continued to roll as they got the 7-0 win over Superior. The Lumberjacks extend their school-record win streak to 13 games. Categories: High School, Sports

Prep Girls Basketball: Rails Extend Win Streak; Hunters Snap Losing Streak

The Proctor girls basketball team picked up a win on the road while Duluth Denfeld was victorious at home.

ESKO, Minn. – The Proctor girls basketball team extended their win streak to six straight as they defeated Esko 44-25 Monday night. The Rails improve to 11-1 on the season as they travel to Cherry Friday night. In other prep girls action, Elizabeth Emmel and Selah Reinertsen combined to scored 25 points as Duluth Denfeld got the home win over…

Greyhounds Boys Hockey Top Hunters in High-Scoring Affair

A four-goal second period would be the difference for Duluth East.

DULUTH, Minn. – Zarley Ziemski scored twice for Duluth East as they get the rivalry win over Duluth Denfeld 5-4 Monday night at the Duluth Heritage Center. The Greyhounds also got goals from Cole Christian, Charlie Erickson and Ryan Cummings. Scoring for the Hunters was Connor McClure, Kaden Postal, Cole Olson and Griffin Lehet. Categories: High School, Sports

UMD Women’s Hockey Shuts Out Bemidji State to Win Minnesota Cup

Ashton Bell and Gabbie Hughes were named to the All-Tournament Team, with Hughes being named the Most Outstanding Player.

DULUTH, Minn. – No overtime was needed in the Minnesota Cup Championship game as Maddie Rooney made 38 saves to give the No. 10 Minnesota Duluth women’s hockey team the 2-0 win over Bemidji State to win the second annual Minnesota Cup. Ashton Bell and Ryleigh Houston scored the two goals for the Bulldogs. Bell and Gabbie Hughes were named…

Northern Star: Brooke Olson

For this week's segment, meet one of the young leaders on the UMD women's basketball team who has helped lead the Bulldogs to an undefeated NSIC record.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD women’s basketball team is coming off of its 11th overall NCAA Tournament appearance is picking up right where they left off. But after graduating two big pieces last year, the Bulldogs have very young leadership this season. “We’ve got to keep getting better. We have young point guards and we’re still fairly youthful, which is…

Vikings Fans Flood Grandma’s to Watch Wild Card Game

Dozens of fans cheered on the Vikes.

DULUTH, Minn.- Grandma’s Sports Garden was alive with dozens of fans as they cheered on the Vikings to win against the Saints Sunday. Fans whooped and hollered, flooding the Sports Garden floor with purple and yellow. Whether they were cheering wildly or groaning at some bad calls, they were all united in their love of SKOL. “We got a lot…

Bulldogs Basketball Sweeps Golden Eagles to Stay Undefeated at Home

The UMD women pick up its 11th straight win and stay perfect in NSIC play while the men used a big first half to stay perfect at Romano Gym.

DULUTH, Minn. – Both UMD basketball teams picked up wins over Minnesota Crookston on Saturday as both squads stay undefeated at Romano Gym this season. The women’s game came down to the wire but UMD was able to hang on for the 68-67 win to pick up its 11th straight win and stay perfect in NSIC play. Brooke Olson led…

Prep Boys Basketball: Oredockers, Spartans Win at Lake Superior Conference Day

Both Ashland and Superior used big second halves to get the wins on Saturday. Duluth Denfeld and Duluth East won the other two games at Lake Superior Conference Day.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior High School was home to Lake Superior Conference Day on Saturday, where both Ashland and Superior used big second halves to get wins. Ashland got the 74-69 win over Duluth Marshall, while the hosts Superior got a 71-63 win over Hermantown. In the other games on Saturday, Duluth Denfeld edged out Proctor 61-53 while Duluth East…

UMD Women’s Hockey Advances to Minnesota Cup Final

Gabbie Hughes finished with two goals on the night, including the one during 3-on-3 overtime to send the Bulldogs to the Minnesota Cup Final.

DULUTH, Minn. – Gabbie Hughes scored her second goal of the night during 3-on-3 overtime to send the No. 10 UMD women’s hockey team to the Minnesota Cup Final. UMD’s first round game against Minnesota State-Mankato officially goes down as a 2-2 tie, but the Bulldogs are headed to the cup final with the win in 3-on-3 overtime. Hughes finished…

UMD Men’s Hockey Holds Outdoor Practice at Glen Avon Rink

After a light practice, the Bulldogs invited young fans onto the ice with them to practice and skate around.

DULUTH, Minn. – After sweeeping Merrimack College to end 2019 on Sunday and Monday, the No. 10 UMD men’s hockey team is off this weekend. So on Saturday morning, the Bulldogs had a bit of a different, more relaxed practice, and hit the outdoor rinks at Glen Avon. After a light practice, the Bulldogs invited the kids watching onto the…

Coaches Corner: Rhett McDonald

For this week's segment, we hear from the head coach of the Duluth East boys basketball team.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we spoke with Duluth East boys basketball coach Rhett McDonald about his team’s great start to the season. McDonald also talked about the rivalry that has developed between the Greyhounds and his father’s team Cambridge-Isanti. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Prep Boys Hockey: Hawks Tie With Crusaders, Hunters Pick Up Home Win

Kade Shea would score the go-ahead goal for the Hunters as they topped Bloomington Kennedy.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown boys hockey team scored four goals in the opening period, but St. Cloud Cathedral would battle back to score three in the final frame as the game finished in a 5-5 tie Friday night at the Hermantown Ice Arena. UMD commit Blake Biondi scored twice for the Hawks, while Beau Janzig, Aydyn Dowd and Zach…

UMD Basketball Sweeps Doubleheader Against Bemidji State to Stay Undefeated at Home

The Bulldogs women stay perfect in NSIC play while the men snap a two-game losing skid.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD women’s basketball team stayed perfect in NSIC play on Friday with a 62-41 win over Bemidji State to win its 10th straight. Brooke Olson led all scorers with 15 points and six rebounds while Sarah Grow chipped in with 12 points and seven rebounds and seven blocks. The Bulldogs shot 50 percent from the field…

Cardinals Girls Basketball Roll Past Mariners at Home

Cromwell-Wright picked up a big win at home over Silver Bay on Friday night.

CROMWELL, Minn. – Taya Hakamaki finished with a game-high 22 points as the Cromwell-Wright girls basketball team knocked off Silver Bay 67-18 Friday night. Shaily Hakamaki chipped in with 12 points for the Cardinals, who get their ninth win in a row to improve to 9-1 on the season. Cromwell-Wright will be back in action Thursday as they host Two…

Duluth East’s Macy Hermanson Commits to CSS Women’s Basketball

The senior is coming off a season-high 18 points against Rocori.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth East’s Macy Hermanson announced Thursday on Twitter that she has committed to joining the St. Scholastica women’s basketball team. Hermanson is currently averaging just under 12 points per game and is coming off a season-high 18 points against Rocori. She is one of only three seniors on the Greyhounds girls basketball team. Categories: College, High School,…

Ready, Set, Mush! Trail Talk with Musher Ryan Redington

Active Adventures: Mushing with Alaska Native Ryan Redington

DULUTH, Minn. – Have you ever wanted to bundle up and give sled dog mushing a try? Meteorologist Brittney Merlot recently caught up with musher Ryan Redington for this week’s Active Adventures. Redington will be mushing in this year’s John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon taking place January 27 – 30 along Minnesota’s North Shore. The Alaska native says he’s very excited…

UMD Women’s Hockey Set to Host 2020 Minnesota Cup

Along with the Bulldogs will be MSU Mankato, St. Cloud State and Bemidji State.

DULUTH, Minn. – Four of the five Division I women’s hockey teams in the state will make their way to Amsoil Arena this weekend for the second annual Minnesota Cup tournament. This year’s installment will feature the hosts UMD, as well as Minnesota State Mankato, St. Cloud State and Bemidji State, all teams that the Bulldogs have faced in the…

Prep Girls Basketball: Home Wins Thursday Night for Eskomos, Rails

The Esko and Proctor girls basketball teams started the new year with home wins.

ESKO, Minn. – A strong second half would push the Esko girls basketball team past Moose Lake-Willow River 72-50 Thursday night, while Proctor got the best of Cloquet 76-24. The Eskomos and Rails will meet up Monday night in Esko for the first time this season. Categories: High School, Sports

CEC Boys Hockey Fall at Home to Wildcats

A two-goal second period for Eagan would be the difference on Thursday night.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Kyle Siiter and Jake Huhta would find the back of the net, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys hockey team fell at home to Eagan 3-2 Thursday night at the Northwoods Credit Union Arena. A two-goal second period would be the difference for the Wildcats as they pick up the road win over the…

Cloquet Native Dylan Lauer Talks Shutdown of St. Cloud State Football Program

Lauer was one of over 80 student-athletes impacted by the folding of the football team.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Three weeks ago, St. Cloud State sent shockwaves through the Division II college sports world as they folded multiple sports programs due to budget cuts and compliance with a Title IX ruling back in August. Among those cut was the Huskies football team, a decision that impacted over 80 student athletes, including Cloquet native Dylan Lauer. “Some…