TODAY'S EVENTS
Boys Hockey
St. Paul Academy at Duluth Denfeld, 2 p.m. Heritage Center
Duluth East (0-1) at Shakopee (1-0), 7 p.m. Bloomington Ice Garden
Girls Hockey
Orono at Cloquet, 3 p.m.
FRIDAY RESULTS
Boys Hockey
No. 10-2A White Bear Lake 4, No. 16-2A Duluth East 3 OT – Thomas Gunderson had a goal and an assist for the Greyhounds in their 2023-24 season and road opener at TCO Sports Garden. Stratton Maas and Noah Teng scored to give Duluth East a 2-1 lead midway through the second period. Kole Kronstedt made 28 saves for the Greyhounds (0-1), who visit Shakopee (1-0) today at 7 p.m.
Notre Dame Academy 2, Superior 1
Duluth Marshall 5, East Ridge 2 – Jonas Martinelli scored a pair of goals for the host Hilltoppers at Mars Lakeview Arena.
HOCKEY NUGGETS – Hermantown will open Friday night at non-conference Cretin-Derham Hall. The Hawks are led by senior goaltender Dane Callaway, junior defenseman Henry Peterson and 2023 Minnesota Bantam AA Player of the Year first-year sophomore defenseman AJ Francisco. Hermantown is scrimmaging Eden Prairie and BSM this weekend. "All the scrimmages over the first two weekends and the first three weeks of practice really helps us prepare for our first game," said Hermantown coach Patrick Andrews, who has a 142-22-9 record in his first six seasons. "Once we start the season our schedule doesn't let up and we will be pushed hard throughout." Hawks assistant coaches are Greg Aker, Nate Buck, Chad Huttel, Jameson Lundquist and Matt Swanson.
BASKETBALL NUGGETS – Duluth Denfeld has its sights set on upsetting two-time defending Section 7AAA boys basketball champion Hermantown this season. The Hawks are led by 6-5 senior forward Abe Soumis, the top front court player in northeastern Minnesota, and a host of athletic guards. Meanwhile, the Hunters return their top nine players from last season, including lightning-quick junior guard Marnaries Ferguson and senior small-forward Aidan Altona. Star 6-foot-6 senior power forward KJ Pulliam is nursing a lower body injury and will provide a powerful inside presence once he returns to the lineup. Other regional top players and emerging college prospects to watch this season: slick-shooting junior guard Jack Battaglia of Cloquet and sophomore guard Ty Nyberg of Duluth East.
