Gaylord, MI – March 23rd, 2021 – The Marquette Redmen traveled to the Otsego County Sportsplex Gaylord to face Traverse City Central in the quarterfinal of the Division 2 MHSAA Ice Hockey Tournament. This was a rematch from last year where Marquette won, but wasn’t able to finish the year due to COVID-19.
First Period: Marquette was looking to set the tone early with a shot on goal right after the face off, but the Trojans were able to make the save. Traverse City Central had a one man advantage at 7:37 but were unable to capitalize although Marquette wasn’t able to keep the zone cleared. Brennan Hakkola was playing great in the net for the Redmen.
Marquette had great looks and both the teams were playing very physical and fast. The Redmen gained a man advantage at 12:28. Not too long into the penalty Redmen Dylan Baldwin buried the puck home. Jacob Garrow and Jackson Potulny were credited with the assist. Marquette went into the first intermission wit the 1-0 lead.
S.O.G.: Marquette 10, Traverse City Central 5
Second Period: 2:33 into the second period the Traverse City Central Trojans gained a man advantage. They were able to get some shot attempts in, but goalie Brennan Hakkola wasn’t allowing anything through. The Marquette penalty kill was able to keep the Trojans at bay. The Trojans had two power play opportunities but weren’t able to capitalize on either of them.
The goaltenders for each team were playing extremely well. Neither of them allowed a goal in the period, and each team went into the locker room with the Redmen holding the 1-0 lead.
S.O.G.: Marquette 15 (25), Traverse City Central 18 (23)
Third Period: Traverse City Central came out very aggressive to start the third. The Trojans gained a man advantage once again in the game and wasn’t able to capitalize it. Brennan Hakkola for the Redmen was playing outstanding in the net, and the Marquette penalty kill had their work cut out for them.
Marquette would finally gain their second power play opportunity with a little over six minutes left in the game. The Redmen weren’t able to put up any additional goals. The Redmen were able to stall the Trojan offense and eat up a lot of clock in the final minutes of the game.
S.O.G.: Marquette 7, Traverse City Central 12
Final: Marquette 1, Traverse City Central 0
S.O.G.: Marquette 32, Traverse City Central 35
The Redmen are back on the ice where they’ll face the winner of Hartland vs. Byron Center in the state semi-final at the USA Hockey Center in Plymouth, MI. Face-off will be at 4:30pm with pre-game starting at 3:30pm.
