Marquette, MI – February 9, 2021 – The Marquette Redmen Hockey team kicks off their season with a loss against the Calumet Copper Kings 2-1 on Fox Sports Marquette 105.1-99.9.
Play started off a bit slow as the early minutes of the game remained scoreless with only three shots on goal between the two teams with 10 minutes to go. The Copper Kings had a strong showing at the face offs, but the Redmen found their rhythm in the waning minutes of the still scoreless first period. Marquette and Calumet had eight and five shots on goal respectively.
Calumet started the second period with a one man advantage that quickly turned to a two man advantage. Marquette’s penalty kill was working hard and successfully as they were able to keep the Copper Kings at bay. Neither team was able to capitalize on the scoring opportunities given to them, keeping the game scoreless through half of the second period. Calumet was able to pick up the pace a bit racking up various shots on goal, but failing to put any in against Brennan Hakkola. Marquette was more aggressive in the last minutes of the period with a power play opportunity. Marquette was able to lead in the shots on goal category to end the second period with ten to Calumet’s six.
Calumet was able to start the third period strong with a score in the opening minutes by Ayden Williams. Calumet kept up the pressure against the Redmen keeping the game in the Marquette zone. It eventually paid off as the Copper Kings were able to score with a Dean Smith goal at 6:26 in the third putting them up 2-0. Marquette was able to answer back with a Theo Adams goal, closing the Copper King lead to 2-1.
The game kept a back and forth pace in the final minutes of the period. Marquette tried to keep the pressure on the Copper Kings with a few shots on goal, but were met with great goal tending by Axel Loukus. The same went for Calumet battling against Hakkola who played a very good game despite the two goals allowed. Marquette and Calumet finished with eight and seven shots on goal respectively.
The game finished with the Copper Kings on top of the Redmen 2-1 at Lakeview Arena. The final shots on goal were, Marquette 26 and Calumet 18. The Copper Kings goalie Axel Loukus was tonight’s Player of the Game with 25 saves and 26 shots against.
The Redmen are back in action on Thursday, February 11th at 6:00 PM at Negaunee. Tune in to Fox Sports Marquette 105.1-99.9 at 5:30 PM for the pregame show.
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