Eskymos Start Slow, Lose First Game In Hancock

HANCOCK---The Hancock Bulldogs scored four goals on their first seven shots and rolled to a 7-3 win over the Escanaba Eskymos Saturday afternoon in Hancock.

The result ended Escanaba's six-game unbeaten streak (5-0-1) to start the season.

Jack Fenton and Hunter Kero each scored two goals to lead the Bulldog attack.

Danny Hill, Travis Bessner, and Matt Sanregret also scored single goals for Hancock.

Levi Wunder scored two goals and assisted on Nick Aird's goal in a losing effort for Escanaba.

Cam Murray stopped 21 of 24 shots to earn the win in net for the Bulldogs (2-2-1).

Jack Valentine stopped 21 of 27 shots in net for the Eskymos, while back-up Brody Goddard stopped four out of five shots during a brief appearance in the first period.

"We  didn't start on time," Escanaba Coach Matt Hughes said of his team's poor first period. "There was a lack of effort in the first period, and obviously, it showed. It just wasn't our night. We turned the puck over way too much in the defensive zone."

Hughes says the team's troubles continued beyond that dismal first period.

"They (Hancock) were winning the battles on the wall," Hughes said. "They were beating us to the 50/50 pucks. It was very frustrating being on that side of the play that we were, as a coach. 

"There was just that lack of effort. There was a lack of urgency to go out there and make things happen."

Escanaba's power play misfired throughout the contest, converting on just one of seven opportunities.

And the Eskymos gave up a shorthanded goal.

"That's not a good stat for us," Hughes said. "We need to be better at that. That's one thing that we've been trying to infuse into their brains, is that you need to capitalize on your power plays, and your odd-man rushes, and things like that."

Escanaba travels back to the Copper Country next Friday to face the Houghton Gremlins. Game time is 7:00.

It will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600), and on-line at www.rrnsports.com.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos and videos taken by Mary Gauthier, and listen to post-game interviews.


Related Posts