Thursday Results
Boys Basketball
Hermantown 78, Cloquet 60 – The Hawks (1-3) visit Mankato West at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Lumberjacks (1-2) host Esko (1-0) today at 7:15 p.m.
Boys Hockey
Duluth Denfeld 5, Cloquet-Esko-Carlton 4 – The Hunters (3-2) battled back from a 3-0 deficit, as junior forward junior forward Valtteri Luhtalampi collected two goals, five points and the game-winner late in the third period. Bobby Thornton had three goals for the Lumberjacks.
His stat line towered over the league: a .383 batting average, 17 home runs, 68 RBIs, 23 doubles, three triples, 48 runs scored, 28 walks, and 15 stolen bases over 52 games. His OPS landed at 1.252, powered by a .471 on-base percentage and a .781 slugging percentage.
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Plante said he plans to return to Minnesota Duluth next season, with the opportunity to play alongside his brothers, Zam and incoming freshman Victor.
The structure of the opening weekend leaves little room for gradual buildup. For Albany, it is a chance to reaffirm its position. For Minnesota and the rest of the field, it is an early test of whether preseason projections hold or begin to shift.
Tom Pohlad has continued to express a commitment to winning, but the roster construction has yet to reflect that urgency. The absence of a clear replacement for Pablo Lopez, combined with instability at shortstop and in the bullpen, suggests a team operating below the standard required to contend.