CEC Moves Into Semis Of The Heritage Classic With 4-3 Win

Dec 28

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

The Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys hockey team opened with a win Tuesday in the Heritage Holiday Classic in Duluth. The Lumberjacks of CEC knocked off the Lumberjacks of Bemidji by a final score of 4-3.

A two goal second period put the Lumberjacks in front to stay as they move into the semi-finals on 5:30pm Wednesday at the Heritage Center in West Duluth. The Lumberjacks will face Forest Lake, who defeated Andover 5-2 to also advance to the semi-finals.

The Lumberjacks scored their first goal of the game when Jack McFarlane scored at the 13:20 mark of the first period to tie the game at 1-1. Bemidji had scored the first goal of the game only three minutes into the contest. McFarlane’s goal came off of assists from Nolan Meyer, and Karson Kuhlman.

Adam Hanson put the Lumberjacks in front to stay as he scored at the 1:06 mark of the second period with Jared Anderson and Ben Michaud assisting. The Lumberjacks went in front 3-1 in the second period as Joey Singpiel scored a power play goal at the 9:24 mark. Assisting on Singpiel’s goal were Meyer and McFarlane.

Bemidji cut CEC’s lead to 3-2 in the third period but the Lumberjacks responded right back as Meyer scored at the 13:27 mark to give the Lumberjacks a two goal cushion. Singpiel and Drew Dincau assisted for the Jacks.

Bemidji added one more goal late but wasn’t enough as CEC again moves into the semi finals Wednesday night. The win moves CEC to 6-3 on the season, as they look to advance to the Championship game on Thursday afternoon.

John Scheuer made 30 saves in the victory for Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, and Jeremiah Graves stopped 19 shots in the loss for Bemidji. Bemidji will face Andover in consolation bracket at noon on Wednesday.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com