By Journal Sports Staff

MARQUETTE — The Marquette American Legion Under-14 Bantam AA youth hockey team opened its season the first weekend of October by winning the Great Lakes Columbus Day Clash in downstate Holland.

The Marquette team wrapped up its five-game run in the tournament by defeating Highland Park, Illinois, 5-0 in the championship game as Jaden Reilley notched a three-goal hat trick as Ansel Frost and Dylan Baldwin each contributed one goal. Goalie Carsen Hayes made 15 saves for the win.

Legion opened pool play with a 10-0 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins as Reilley scored four times, teammate Austin Ridl two and Frost, Baldwin, Skyler Deshone and Jack Sides getting one each. Hayes made nine saves for the shutout.

Game 2 was against the Grand Rapids Blues, but no score was available. Drew Dellies led Marquette with two goals and two assists, while Sides and Owen Riipi each picked up goals. Brennen Hakkola made 12 saves for Legion.

Marquette finished pool play against Highland Lake, their championship game opponent, and won 6-2. Frost, Reilley, Dellies and Cole Ranta scored for Legion.

In the semifinals, Marquette met the Grand Rapids Blades again and won 5-1 as Baldwin and Frost each scored two goals and Ridl had one. Hakkola made 11 saves for the goaltending win.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@ miningjournal.net.