The Emeralds varsity hockey team endured a roller coaster of emotions on Sunday, falling behind, then taking the lead, before finishing just short in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Fenton Griffins at the Little Bear West Arena.
The incredible comeback and overtime had fans holding their breath as the young and improving Emeralds nearly picked up their first home win of the year. The loss dropped the Emeralds to 1-10-1 on the season.
Fenton was showing some fatigue as the game went on and the Emeralds continued to fight. The Griffins were playing for the third straight day as part of a U.P. tour that sent them to Negaunee and Kingsford previously. The Emeralds entered fresh, taking the ice for the first time in over a week following their first victory last weekend in Gaylord. The two sides were evenly matched, but two key areas tilted the advantage in Fenton’s favor. A 45-18 shot-on-goal advantage gave Fenton plenty of opportunities, and a pile of penalties by the Emeralds slowed their own momentum.
Fenton led 1-0 after the first period. A five-minute major penalty and a post-whistle penalty at the end of the opening period put the Emeralds in a difficult 5-on-3 disadvantage. Fenton converted less than 30 seconds into the second, scoring to go up 2-0.
The Emeralds found their spark in the third period. Jarrett Zellard got Manistique on the board early in the final frame, and moments later Gavin Maki scored to tie the game.
With momentum on their side, Zellar scored again and the Emeralds took the lead. They held that lead until the final minute, when a shocking turn sent the game into overtime.
Just seconds away from clinching a second consecutive win, Fenton netted a stunning shorthanded goal with 55 seconds remaining to force overtime.
Both goaltenders made big saves late in the final period and in overtime, but Fenton finally scored the game winner with 5:51 remaining, ending the game with a 4-3 final score.
Jackson Goudreau was solid under fire, stopping 41 shots in the loss.
While the Emeralds couldn’t keep pace, their focus on quality over quantity in the shot department kept them in the game. Manistique spent nearly a third of the game with players in the penalty box, totaling six penalties for a total of 15 minutes—many in key stretches of the game. Julian Suriano, Cole Watchhorn, and Kade Schroeder all had assists for Manistique.
The Emeralds return to the ice next week when they travel to Rhinelander, Wis. for a pair of games on Monday and Tuesday.
