Third period sinks Cheboygan hockey; Mackinaw City, Onaway, Inland Lakes basketball win

PETOSKEY – The Cheboygan Chiefs hockey team was in a decent position, deadlocked at 1-1 with Petoskey on Wednesday night.

However, a rough third period – something that’s been a common theme this season – sunk their chances of capturing a huge road win. The Chiefs surrendered three goals in the final period and suffered a 4-2 loss to the Northmen.

While the Chiefs (3-14-2) fell short, Cheboygan coach Seth Duncan praised his team for a solid performance against a quality opponent.

“It was a much better game this time around,” Duncan said. “Even though it didn’t go our way, we played the right way. With guys banged up and not at full strength, it was good to see everyone chip in and put us in a good position.”

Warren Farver and Broden Powell scored goals for the Chiefs, who saw Braxton Esper tally two assists. Cody Lane chipped in with an assist. Goaltender Sawyer Graham stopped 29 shots.

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For Petoskey (11-7-1), Chase LaFaive’s game-high two goals led the way. Kameron Horn and Anderson Ward also scored.

Cheboygan hosts New Boston Huron at 7 p.m. on Friday and Lakeshore Badgers at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Mackinaw City girls rout Alba, move to 13-0

MACKINAW CITY – The Mackinaw City girls basketball team just keeps on winning.

One night after a huge conference triumph over Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian Academy, the Comets cruised to a 70-6 victory over Alba on Tuesday.

The Comets (13-0, 9-0 Northern Lakes Conference) were led by Gracie Beauchamp’s 27 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and six steals, while Jersey Beauchamp recorded 11 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals, Kenzlie Currie tallied 10 points and four rebounds, Kerry-Ann Ming finished with nine points and 14 rebounds, Rian Esper registered six points, three steals, two rebounds and two assists, and Grace Sroka added five points, six steals, four rebounds and two assists. Poppy Wallace (two points), Emily Kruczynski (two rebounds), Alaia Mendez (two rebounds) and Jillian Poumade (two rebounds) also contributed.

“The girls played a good all-around game, and it was a great opportunity for us to get our (junior varsity) players some good minutes,” Mackinaw City coach Jake Huffman said. “Our ball movement led to great shots, and we shot a great percentage tonight. All of the girls did a great job of getting rebounds and taking care of the basketball.”

Mackinaw City hosts Mackinac Island on Monday, Feb. 5.

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Onaway boys avenge Cheboygan loss, roll at Central Lake

CENTRAL LAKE – Monday’s loss at Cheboygan was a tough one to take for coach Eddy Szymoniak and the Onaway boys basketball team.

Two nights later, the Cardinals bounced back with a 79-65 victory at Central Lake on Wednesday.

“The first half was really good,” Szymoniak said of his team, which built a 48-29 lead at the break. “I think we could’ve done a better job closing out the game. We got back to being ourselves with our half-court defense in the first half, so that was good to see. Justin (Kramer-St. Germain) did a nice job on their big guys and on the boards. Overall, a good night for us.”

The Cardinals (10-4, 8-3 Ski Valley Conference) were fueled by 23 points from Austin Veal, 14 from Jackson Chaskey, nine from Jadin Mix, eight from Luke Lovelace, six from Kramer-St. Germain, and three from Mason Beebe.

Onaway heads to Johannesburg-Lewiston on Friday.

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Inland Lakes boys pick up conference road win

FIFE LAKE – It wasn’t pretty, but the job was completed.

Trailing by one at halftime, the Inland Lakes boys basketball team used a strong second half to take control and earn a 51-33 victory at Forest Area on Wednesday.

Knocking down four 3-pointers was Aidan Fenstermaker, who led the Bulldogs (9-6, 7-4 Ski Valley Conference) with 16 points. Noah Shugar and Sam Schoonmaker tallied 11 points each, while Cash DePauw had seven, and Connor Wallace and Jake Willey recorded three apiece.

“(Forest Area) definitely had a game plan of not letting us get in transition, they slowed the game down, they were OK with running the clock as much as they could, and it threw us off and kept us from transition looks,” Inland Lakes coach Lee Nash said. “We regrouped at halftime and increased our pressure defense, we got into transition, we got confidence and walked away with a road win.

“Super proud of Noah (Shugar). He gave it 100 percent on defense, flying around, and it showed.”

Inland Lakes hosts Pellston in its Snowcoming game on Friday.

Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan hockey loses at Petoskey; Mackinaw City, Onaway Inland Lakes hoops prevail