Warhounds roll past Saints 6-2

Gaylord, MI — Andy Peck made 50 saves, and Brian Hannafin and Nicholas Hodgson each scored twice as the Northern Michigan Warhounds defeated the St. Ignace Saints 6-2 at Little Bear Arena on Saturday.

Cody Bourdeau had a goal and an assist, and Riley Vanderhoeven and Justin McComas each contributed two assists for the Warhounds (2-1), who scored the first six goals of the game.

The victory gave Northern Michigan the opening win in the six-game “Battle for the Bridge” series between the teams.

Nick Hallett and Caleb McKerchie scored for St. Ignace, which was held scoreless through two periods despite putting 33 shots on Peck.

Hannafin opened the scoring with 11:23 remaining in the first period, with Vanderhoeven picking up the assist.

Hodgson extended the lead to 2-0 with 5:40 left in the period, assisted by Jeremy Solomon and McComas.

Hannafin added his second goal with 1:15 remaining, finishing a three-goal opening period for Northern Michigan. Dugan Kelly and Bourdeau were credited with assists.

Bourdeau made it 4-0 with 16:50 remaining in the second period off Vanderhoeven’s second assist of the night.

Peck stopped all 15 shots he faced in the middle period, preserving the four-goal advantage heading into the third.

Hodgson scored his second goal on the power play with 16:27 remaining in the third, with McComas collecting his second assist.

Cameron Pfeiffer followed with an unassisted goal with 14:40 left, pushing the Warhounds’ lead to 6-0.

Hallett answered six seconds later to put the Saints on the board, assisted by Brent Defour and Logan Hallett. McKerchie added St. Ignace’s second goal with 1:14 remaining, with Caleb Wood earning the assist.

Peck finished with 17 saves in the third period and a .962 save percentage for the game.

Five Warhounds finished with two points, while eight players recorded at least one point in the victory.

Northern Michigan continues its road schedule against the Motor City Muskies on Sunday, Nov. 1, with puck drop scheduled for noon. The Warhounds return to Otsego County Sportsplex on Saturday, Nov. 7, to host the Kalkaska Kings at 6 p.m. for Military Appreciation Night.

Photocredit:CSM Photography