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Escanaba hockey team goes on offensive vs. Negaunee Miners in 10-2 mercy-rule win

Negaunee’s Anthony Hammermaster, left, and Jacob Paquet, right, defend against Escanaba’s Colton Hayes during their high school hockey game held at the Eskymos’ rink on Monday. (Escanaba Daily Press photo by Mike Mattson)

Negaunee's Anthony Hammermaster, left, and Jacob Paquet, right, defend against Escanaba's Colton Hayes during their high school hockey game held at the Eskymos' rink on Monday. (Escanaba Daily Press photo by Mike Mattson)WELLS — Escanaba coach Matt Hughes craved a win after a rough start to this prep hockey season.

So a 10-2 mercy-rule win Monday night against Negaunee came at the right time for the Eskymos. It wasn’t a must-win, but it sure was welcomed.

“We needed a win,” Hughes said after the Eskymos dominated the Miners at the Hannahville Ice & Turf Complex. “We needed a game like this. We had to get our older guys going to make plays and put the puck in the net.”

Neal Violetta and Trevor Borlace each scored a goal for the Miners (3-2) in the second period.

Negaunee coach Josh Chapman said his team had several breakdowns and couldn’t battle back from a big deficit.

“We have a lot to work on,” Chapman said. “I’m not happy with the loss, but it’s early in the season.”

Chapman pulled starting sophomore goalie Nolan Corwin after the first period, with freshman Preston Maki finishing the game.

“We were trying to change some things up,” Chapman said. “Nolan is a good goalie and I didn’t want to take him out. One of the things about that position is you’re on or not.”

Esky seniors Garth Wickham and Parker LaMarch each recorded a hat trick for the Eskymos, who improved to 2-4 on the season. Senior Chris LeMire also delivered five assists.

Esky outshot the Miners 45-14 and kept the pressure on most of the night.

The Eskymos led 5-0 after the first period as Christopher Sliva opened the scoring at the 9:03 mark and Wickham and LaMarch each scored twice. Esky outshot Negaunee 18-6 in the first period.

“It was an all-around team effort,” Wickham said. “We were moving the puck around real well tonight.”

Esky built an 8-2 lead after two periods. Kyle Egner, Christer Carne and Wickham all scored goals for the Eskymos, who had a 29-14 shots advantage entering the third period.

Esky ended the game early in the third period, thanks to a goal by Hunter Haslow and LaMarch’s third goal.

Negaunee travels to Kingsford Monday.

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