Michaud’s Two Goals Help Team North To Elite League Title

Oct 29, 2012

Kerry Rodd-NSO

Led by the strong play of Cloquet-Esko-Carlton hockey players, Team North won the Elite League Hockey Championship with a 4-3 in come-from-behind fashion over Team Southeast on Sunday in New Hope.

Trailing 2-1 after two periods Team North used three straight goals to open the third period to gain the win. The first two goals of the third period were scored by Cloquet junior Westin Michaud.

The eight-team league features the best high school players from North Dakota, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Team North ended the Elite League season with a 14-8-2 record including the title tilt over Southeast. Championship game action saw Team North outshot Team Southeast 42-33.

The North squad included not only Westin Michaud, but his older brother Beau as well as Karson Kuhlman, another junior. Kuhlman and the Michaud’s skated on the same line during the summer league, but Kuhlman sat out Sunday’s championship game after playing for the USA National Team Development Program as an injury replacement over the weekend.

Also playing for Team North were Neil Pionk and Jake Zeleznikar of Hermantown.

Kerry Rodd can be reached at kerry@northlandpsortsonline.com