Sports

Fawcett’s OT Winner Sends Mirage to State Semi-Finals

The Proctor-Hermantown girls hockey team advance to the state semi-finals.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Kaitlyn Fawcett would score the game-winning goal in overtime as Proctor-Hermantown outlasted Rochester Lourdes 3-2 in the Class A state quarterfinals at the Xcel Energy Center. Aurora Opsahl and Sydney Skorich also scored for the Mirage, who advance to the state semi-finals on Friday. They will face top-seeded Warroad at 1:30 p.m. Categories: High School, Sports

Great Outdoors: Dogsledding With a Twist at North Star Academy

School hosts unconventional dog sled race.

DULUTH, Minn.- Northland winters are full of great activities like skiing, snowboarding, and of course dog sledding. You’ve likely heard of the Beargrease, and the Iditarod. But North Star Academy’s dog sled race puts a spin on the traditional. “Teamwork makes the dream work. You have to trust your musher, and the musher has to trust his dogs,” a team…

Prep Boys Hockey: Hawks, Hunters, Hounds, Jacks Move on to Section Semis; Spartans Punch Ticket to Section Finals

The section quarterfinals kicked off Tuesday night for boys high school hockey.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Blake Biondi, Cole Antcliff and Brady Baker each finished with a hat trick as Hermantown defeated Hibbing/Chisholm 13-0 Tuesday night at the Hermantown Ice Arena. The Hawks move on to face Virginia/MIB, who held on to beat Eveleth-Gilbert 5-4 in triple overtime. In other 7A action, Duluth Denfeld got three goals from Griffin Lehet as they beat…

Prep Basketball: Spartans Girls Advance in Playoffs; Bluejackets Girls, Lumberjacks Boys Pick Up Road Wins

The Superior girls got a close win in the first round of the WIAA playoffs, while the Hibbing girls and Duluth Marshall boys got big road wins.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior girls basketball team hung on to defeat Eau Claire North 42-41 in the first round WIAA playoffs. The Spartans advance to the next round and will play #1 seed Kimberly on Friday. In other basketball action, the Hibbing girls defeated Hermantown 64-46 while the Cloquet boys got the road win over Duluth Marshall 98-60. Categories:…

Saints Open UMAC Basketball Tournament Against Vikings

The St. Scholastica men's basketball team will travel to Mankato to take on Bethany Lutheran.

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Scholastica men’s basketball team will face Bethany Lutheran in the UMAC semi-finals Thursday night. The Vikings defeated CSS twice this season. The team’s depth has been on full display for the past month, and it will be up to the seniors to get the younger players ready for a playoff atmosphere Thursday night. “Us seniors,…

Yellowjackets Women Eyeing Fourth Straight UMAC Tourney Title

The Wisconsin-Superior women's basketball team are the #1 seed for the fourth straight year.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Tuesday, the UMAC announced that due to inclement weather, the basketball semi–finals for men and women will be postponed from Wedensday night to Thursday night which gives teams an extra day to prepare for the playoffs. On the women’s side, the Wisconsin-Superior women’s basketball team are the #1 overall seed. The Yellowjackets are the #1 overall seed…

Saints Women’s Hockey Ranked for First Time Since 2014

The St. Scholastica women's hockey team are ranked 10th in the latest D3hockey.com poll.

DULUTH, Minn. – After sweeping their weekend series against Lake Forest, the St. Scholastica women’s hockey team is ranked 10th in the latest D3 hockey poll. This marks the first time the Saints have been nationally ranked since 2014. CSS ended the regular season winning eight straight and clearly playing their best hockey at just the right time. “I think…

Cardinals Defeat Hilltoppers in Top-Ranked Girls Match-Up

The Cromwell-Wright girls basketball team continued to roll as they topped Duluth Marshall at home.

CROMWELL, Minn. – Shaily Hakamaki led all scorers with 27 points as the Cromwell-Wright girls basketball team defeated Duluth Marshall 68-45 Monday night. Taya Hakamaki chipped in with 19 points for the Cardinals, who have won 14 in a row and improve 20-1 on the season. They wrap up the regular season Thursday at Bigfork. The Hilltoppers were paced by…

Northwestern Dancer Ranked Top Ten in State

Freshman Lyvia Carlson was placed in the top ten after their state competition earlier this month.

POPLAR, Wis. – Northwestern freshman Lyvia Carlson has been dancing for the past six years and has found her passion within the music. “I love that you can just express who you are and how you’re feeling and there’s really no judgement in anything,” Carlson said. She’s come a long way during these short years. In her first year on…

Mirage Aiming for Deeper Run at State Tournament

The Proctor/Hermantown girls hockey team are heading back to the state tournament for third time in four years.

PROCTOR, Minn. – This week, the boys hockey sectionals begin. But for the girls, it’s already time for the state tournament. And there’s only one Northland team left standing: Proctor/Hermantown. First up for the fourth-seeded Mirage is the #5 seed Rochester Lourdes. The Eagles went 15–9–1 this season and according the Mirage head coach Glen Gilderman, they are very similar…

Duluth East’s Ryder Donovan Signs NLI for the University of Wisconsin

The senior captain will be taking his talents to Madison.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth East senior forward Ryder Donovan has signed his National Letter of Intent to join the University of Wisconsin. That’s according to a tweet sent out by PC Tourney Boyz. Donovan had originally committed to North Dakota, but de–committed just before the start of the season. Regarded by many as one of the top prospects in the…

AMSOIL Arena to Host 2020 Ice Breakers Tournament

The tournament will be held Oct. 9 and 10, 2020.

DULUTH, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Duluth announced on Friday that AMSOIL Arena will host the 2020 Ice Breaker Tournament. AMSOIL Arena hosted the 2017 Ice Breaker Tournament, where the opening round drew the fourth largest crowd in AMSOIL history. The Ice Breaker Tournament usually features four teams, each from a different conference. The 24th annual tournament will feature…

Northern Star: Darian Gotz

For this week's segment, we feature the captain of the Hermantown hockey team.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. -With talent up and down the lines, the Hermantown boys hockey team is once again one of the top powerhouses in the state. But with so much talent, a trusty captain is needed, and that’s what they have in senior Darian Gotz. “He’s our leader, hands down. And it’s not because he’s the rah-rah guy in the locker room….

Saints Basketball Teams Get Senior Night Sweep over Storm

Both St. Scholastica basketball teams wrapped up their regular seasons with wins at home.

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Scholastica women’s basketball team ended their season on a high note as they got the win over Crown 61-46 Saturday night at the Reif Gym. In her final game for the Saints, Michala Walther finished with 16 points. Kaylee Kennedy and Danielle Cieluch also chipped in with 14 points each. On the men’s side, Collin…

Thomeczek, Saints Stonewall Foresters in Regular Season Finale

The St. Scholastica women's hockey team ends the regular season on an eight-game winning streak.

DULUTH, Minn. – Taylor Thompson scored twice and Lexi Thomeczek would get her second-straight shutout as the St. Scholastica women’s hockey team topped Lake Forest 2-0 Saturday night at Mars Lakeview Arena. Thomeczek finished with 40 saves, her second-highest total this season to help the Saints end the regular season on an eight-game winning streak. Next up for the CSS…

UMD Women’s, Men’s Hockey Both Blanked at Home

Neither UMD hockey team was able to put up a goal in their respective match-ups.

DULUTH, Minn. – In their regular season home finale, the UMD women’s hockey team were shutout by #2 Wisconsin 3-0 Saturday night at Amsoil Arena. Maddie Rooney finished with a season-high 49 saves in the losing effort as the Bulldogs get set to close out the regular season on the road next week against Minnesota State-Mankato. In the men’s game,…

Prep Basketball: Rails, Lumberjacks Girls, Greyhounds, Agates Boys All Win

A good night for home teams in prep basketball on Friday night

DULUTH, MINN. – In prep girls basketball action, Kendra Kelley would pick up her 1,000 career point as Cloquet knocked off Ashland 63-31. In other prep girls action, Proctor continued to stay hot as they beat Hermantown 60-49. In boys action Duluth East picked up a 60-47 home court win over St. Francis. Giovani Saldivar scored 18 points for the…

Saints Women’s Hockey Starts Weekend With Win

St. Scholastica tops Lake Forest 1-0; looks for sweep Saturday

DULUTH, MINN.- Taylor Thompson netted the lone goal of the contest as the Saints began the final weekend of the regular season with a victory of Lake Forest College 1-0. Lexi Thomeczek made 37 saves for the shut-out. With the win, St. Scholastica improves to 17-6-1 and 13-3 in the NCHA. The same two teams will meet Saturday afternoon back…

Coaches Corner: Wisconsin-Superior Men’s Hockey

This week's Coaches Corner features UWS Head Coach Rich McKenna

DULUTH, MINN.- For this week’s Coaches Corner we spoke with UWS Men’s Hockey head coach Rich McKenna. Among the topics discussed are the Yellowjackets upcoming playoff series versus UW-Eau Claire as well as the performances of the younger players this season.     Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

Bulldog Women’s Hockey Drops Opener Against Badgers

UMD Women drop WCHA contest against Wisconsin

DULUTH, MINN.- UMD fell Friday night to Wisconsin 6-1 in WCHA Women’s hockey action. Kailee Skinner would net the lone goal for the Bulldogs. Maddie Rooney would get pulled following the conclusion of the second period after allowing four goals on 27 shots. Emma Soderberg stopped 9 of 11 of the shots she faced in the third period. The same…

Learn to Curl At The World Famous Duluth Curling Club

Active Adventures: Curling & Brews With The Duluth Experience

DULUTH, Minn. — In this weeks Active Adventures, Brittney Merlot and Nikki Davidson try their skills out on the ice, curling! The Duluth Experience takes you on the largest indoor sheet of ice and teaches you step by step the skills needed to curl! Duluth’s curling tradition goes back to 1891 when a group of local Duluthians formed The Duluth…

Hermantown/Proctor Dance Team Ready for First-Ever Trip to State Tournament

The team took third place in the section meet, allowing them to advance to the state tournament.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown/Proctor dance team are taking their jazz routine to the state tournament Thursday at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The program is only in its eighth year of existence as a varsity sport and the team is excited to have the spotlight on their hard work during a time when hockey is all the buzz in…

Prep Girls Basketball: Rails Win LSC Title; Hilltoppers, Bluejackets Also Pick Up Wins

The Proctor girls basketball team won the Lake Superior Conference on Thursday night.

PROCTOR, MINN.- Thanks to a strong second half, the Proctor girls basketball team pulled away late to get the win over Cloquet 64-52. With the win, the Rails capture the Lake Superior Conference regular season title. In other girls action, Duluth Marshall got a bounce back win over Eveleth-Gilbert 77-23 and Hibbing got a road win over Duluth East 60-43…

Prep Boys Hockey: Spartans Win Playoff Opener, Hunters Spoil Toppers’ Senior Night

Superior and Duluth Denfeld both pick up wins on Thursday night.

SUPERIOR, WI.- In their WIAA section quarter final match-up, the Superior boys hockey team blanked Northwest 7-0 Thursday night at Wessman Arena. Dayton Podvin made 13 saves in the shut-out effort. The Spartans move on to host the Section semi-final February 19th at 6:00 p.m. Trailing 2-1 going into the third period, the Hunters would comeback and knock off Duluth…

Spartans Boys Basketball Get Road Win Over Rails

Superior gets the road win as the season winds down

PROCTOR, MINN.- With the regular season, Superior picked up a road victory over Proctor Thursday night 67-48. With the win, the Spartans are now 10-6 and host Hudson Saturday afternoon. Following the loss, the Rails now are 12-7 on the season and will travel to Grand Rapids Friday night. Categories: High School, Sports

Prep Girls Basketball: Cardinals Run Past Bombers, Spartans Get Road Win Over Hunters

The Cromwell-Wright girls basketball got a big win at home over Barnum, while Superior got a road win over Duluth Denfeld.

CROMWELL, Minn. – The Cromwell-Wright girls basketball team had no trouble at home with Barnum as they got the win over the Bombers 83-28 Wednesday night. The Cardinals improve to 18-1 as they will host Carlton Thursday night. In other girls action, Superior picked up a road win over Duluth Denfeld 68-25. Categories: High School, Sports

Hawks, Lumberjacks Boys Hockey Play to 2-2 Tie

The Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys hockey team got a tie with Hermantown on Senior Night.

CLOQUET, Minn. – At the Northwoods Credit Union Arena, the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton and Hermantown boys hockey teams played to a 2-2 tie on Wednesday night. Gavin Rasmussen scored both goals for the Lumberjacks, while Darian Gotz and Ben Siljendahl scored for the Hawks, who will close out their season Thursday night at home against Grand Rapids. Categories: High School, Sports

Mirage Win Second Straight Section 7A Championship

Proctor/Hermantown defeated Duluth Marshall 3-1 Wednesday night.

VIRGINIA, Minn. – A three-goal second period would be the difference as the Proctor/Hermantown girls hockey team defeated Duluth Marshall 3-1 in the Section 7A championship game Wednesday night at the Miners Memorial Building in Virginia. Alyssa Watkins, Braelyn Sathers and Ella Anick each scored for the Mirage, who capture their second straight section title. Victoria Thorson scored the lone…

Former Bulldogs Captain, Esko Native Karson Kuhlman Recalled by Bruins

The 2018 Frozen Four MVP is moving up from the AHL in Providence to the NHL in Boston.

BOSTON, Mass. – Esko native Karson Kuhlman was one of the biggest reasons the UMD men’s hockey team won their second ever national championship back in April of last year. Days after that win, the 2018 Frozen Four MVP was signed by the Boston Bruins and has spent time in their developmental system. But Wednesday, he got the call of…

Sullivan, Hilltoppers Knock Off Fighting Saints

The Duluth Marshall boys hockey team got the home win over St. Francis 4-1.

DULUTH, Minn. – Carter Sullivan found the back of the net twice as the Duluth Marshall boys hockey team got the win over St. Francis 4-1 Tuesday night at Mars Lakeview Arena. Danny Klatt and Dakota Oman also scored for the Hilltoppers. Alex Busick finished the night with 30 saves for Duluth Marshall. Categories: High School, Sports

Prep Basketball: Rails Girls Defeat Toppers, Eskomo Boys Hold Off Rails

The Proctor girls basketball team hit some clutch free throws to hang on and beat Duluth Marshall 80-71.

DULUTH, Minn. – In what may have been the championship for the Lake Superior Conference regular season championship, Proctor got the win over Duluth Marshall 80-71 Tuesday night. And in boys action, Peyton Wueffel and Trevor Spindler each scored 16 points as Esko got the home win over Proctor 71-47. Categories: High School, Sports

Saints Women’s Hockey Tops Yellowjackets in Bridge Battle

Giorgia Battisti and Amber Tilander both scored as St. Scholastica swept this year's Bridge Battle.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – In the second round of the Bridge Battle between the St. Scholastica and Wisconsin-Superior women’s hockey teams, the same outcome occurred as the Saints got the 2-1 road win. Giorgia Battisti and Amber Tilander both scored for the Saints while Kaleigh Martinson got the Yellowjackets on the board. CSS (16-6-1) will finish at the regular season at…

Mirage, Hilltoppers Set to Clash in Section 7A Championship

The Proctor/Hermantown and Duluth Marshall girls hockey teams will meet in Virginia on Wednesday night.

DULUTH, Minn. – Wednesday night, the championship for Section 7A girls hockey will be decided in Virginia as Proctor/Hermantown faces off against Duluth Marshall. For the Mirage, who are the defending section champions, one of the big questions going into this season was how the younger players would mesh with the girls who made it to the state semi–finals last…

Prep Basketball: Lumberjack, Eskomo Girls Get Senior Night Wins; Hilltopper Boys Get Comeback Victory

The Cloquet girls, Esko girls and Duluth Marshall boys were all winners at home on Monday night.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Allie Wojtysiak finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds as the Cloquet girls basketball team got the Senior Night win over Duluth East 46-42 Monday night. In other girls action, Esko had no trouble with Eveleth-Gilbert as they top the Golden Bears 67-33. And in boys action, Duluth Marshall and Cook County went into overtime as the…

Prep Boys Hockey: Greyhounds, Hunters, Hawks Win Big at Home

Duluth East, Duluth Denfeld and Hermantown all kicked off the last week of the regular season on high notes.

DULUTH, Minn. – On the first day of the last week of the regular season for boys high school hockey, Duluth East, Duluth Denfeld and Hermantown all got home wins. For the Greyhounds, Jacob Jeannette, Jonathan Jones and Ryder Donovan each scored twice while Brendan Baker, Jack FitzGerald, Nolan Aleff and Jack Fellman each tallied one as they took down…

Bulldogs Alum Balts Joins Football Coaching Staff

Former UMD wide receiver Jason Balts will now serve as running backs coach.

DULUTH, Minn. – Former Minnesota Duluth wide receiver Jason Balts is joining the Bulldogs coaching staff. Balts will serve as the running backs coach under new offensive coordinator Chase Vogler. Balts was a star for the Bulldogs before getting injured during week four of his senior season. During his junior year, Balts set career-highs in pass receptions, touchdown catches and…

Greyhounds Basketball Honors Former Star Rick Rickert

Duluth East retired Rickert's #44 in a pregame ceremony on Saturday.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth East boys basketball team honored former Greyhounds standout Rick Rickert and officially retired his jersey #44 before their game against Blaine on Saturday. Rickert, who now lives in Idaho with his family, said getting to come back to Duluth East for this moment was a day he’ll never forget. “You know, a lot of them are…

Northern Star: Sam Risley

For this week's segment, we feature a Northwestern boys basketball player who is leading the Tigers to success.

MAPLE, Wis. – After going 12–12 last year, the Northwestern boys basketball team has been dominate this year. The Tigers are currently undefeated in conference play and ranked in the top 10 in division three within the state. “We’re about 10, 11 guys deep that I can play at any single time in any single game and that’s a luxury…

Prep Girls Hockey: Mirage, Hilltoppers Advance to Section Finals

Proctor/Hermantown and Duluth Marshall will face each other in the 7A Section Finals on Wednesday night.

VIRGINIA, Minn. – The top seeds came out victorious on Saturday as No. 1 Proctor/Hermantown defeated No. 4 Hibbing/Chisholm 3-0 while No. 2 Duluth Marshall defeated No. 3 Cloquet-Esko-Carlton 1-0 in the Section 7A semi-finals. For the Mirage, Michaela Phinney, Dehli Heikes and Megan Madill all scored in the win as Ryan Gray made 21 saves. For the Hilltoppers, Lily…

Greyhounds Basketball Falls to Bengals

Noah Paulson led Duluth East with 12 points.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth East boys basketball team couldn’t gain enough momentum early as Blaine got the 71-58 win on Saturday. Noah Paulson led the Greyhounds with 12 points. Duluth East star Rick Rickert was honored before the game and the Greyhounds retired his number in a special ceremony. The Greyhounds (14-7) will play St. Francis on Friday. Categories:…

Yellowjackets Women Claim Share of UMAC Title; CSS, UWS Men Fall at Home

The Wisconsin-Superior women held off Bethany Lutheran to claim the No. 1 seed in the UMAC playoffs.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Wisconsin-Superior and Bethany Lutheran women’s basketball teams entered Saturday’s game tied atop the conference, but the Yellowjackets held off the Vikings 74-61 to claim a share of the UMAC regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the UMAC playoffs. Hannah Norlin dominated, scoring 29 points in her final home regular season home game of…

Bulldogs Women’s Hockey Falls to Huskies, Split Weekend Series

Naomi Rogge and Anneke Linser scored in Minnesota Duluth's loss.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD women’s hockey team fell into an early hole and couldn’t climb out fast enough as St. Cloud State got the 3-2 win to split the series with the Bulldogs. Naomi Rogge and Anneke Linser both scored for the Bulldogs. UMD will host No. 2 Wisconsin next weekend. Categories: College, Sports, University of Minnesota – Duluth

Yellowjacket Men’s Hockey Ends Regular Season With Victory

UWS ends the season with a victory over UW Eau Claire

  SUPERIOR, WI.- After clinching the #3 seed in the WIAC Thursday night, the UWS men’s hockey team finished off their 2018-2019 campaign on a high note with a 2-1 victory of UW-Eau Claire at home on Friday night. Goals by Chad Lopez and Troy York were the difference makers while Oscar Svensson would make 35 saves for the victory….

Bulldogs Women’s Hockey Tops Huskies

Four different players scored in Minnesota Duluth's win over St. Cloud State.

DULUTH, MINN.- The Minnesota Duluth women’s hockey team would strike twice in the opening period in rout to a 4-2 win over visiting St. Cloud State on Friday night in a WCHA Conference game. Lizi Norton, Sydney Brodt, McKenzie Hewett, and Ryleigh Houston all scored goals for UMD while Maddie Rooney would make 21 saves for the victory. The two…

Coaches Corner: Proctor Girls Basketball

For this week's segment, we sat down with Proctor girls basketball coach Matt Solberg.

DULUTH, MINN.- For this week’s segment, we sat down with Proctors girl’s basketball head coach Matt Solberg about about the game earlier this week, coaching such a young team, the competition ahead for the team come playoffs, and the importance of last years deep playoff run and how it can generate to another one this year. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday…

Prep Girls Hockey: Mirage, Hilltoppers, Lumberjacks Move on in Section Playoffs

The top seeds all moved on in the first round of the Section 7A playoffs.

PROCTOR, Minn. – In the first round of the Section 7A girls hockey playoffs, top-seeded Proctor-Hermantown defeated Moose Lake Area 5-0 Friday night at the St. Luke’s Sports and Event Center. The Mirage will face Hibbing/Chisholm in the section semi-finals as the Bluejackets defeated North Shore 3-2. Duluth Marshall got four goals from Maren Friday as they top International Falls…

Prep Basketball: Tigers Boys Stay Undefeated in Conference Play; Thunderhawks, Eskomos Girls Pick Up Wins

The Northwestern boys basketball team stayed undefeated in conference play and claimed the Heart O'North Conference Championship.

DULUTH, Minn. – Brody Payton scored 21 points and Andrew Klobucher scored 15 as the Northwestern boys basketball team defeated Bloomer 58-53 to stay undefeated in conference play and win the Heart O’North Conference championship. In girls action, Grand Rapids defeated Hermantown 87-72 while Esko dominated South Ridge 73-32. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Escape Rooms Take Over The Bong Historical Center For A Good Cause

This Weekend Only! You Can "Escape The Bong" With 3 Different Themed Room Options.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — In this weeks Active Adventures, Brittney Merlot and Brett Scott get locked into a mobile escape room with 1 hour to get out! Watch the video above to see if they got out in time! Northland, you get the chance to try out the 3 new escape rooms that are only here for this weekend only! Grab…

Former Bulldogs National Championship QB Chase Vogler Talks New Gig with UMD Football

Vogler was named UMD's new offensive coordinator earlier this week.

DULUTH, Minn. – Earlier this week, the UMD football team announced that a former Bulldog would be returning to campus to become the new offensive coordinator. That former player was none other than Chase Vogler. Vogler was the starting quarterback for the 2010 Bulldogs team that won the program’s second-ever national championship. He has spent the past five seasons at…

Tigers Basketball Soaring into Final Month of Regular Season

The Tigers are undefeated in conference play, similar to what they did in football this past season.

MAPLE, Wisc. – The Northwestern boys basketball team continue to dominate the Heart O’ North conference. The Tigers are undefeated in conference play, similar to what they did in football this past season. So do they believe some of that momentum has been carried over from the gridiron to the court? “A little bit. I mean, we play physical. In…