Todd Rose | Daily Press Escanaba’s Spencer Bourdeau (8) shoots the puck past Houghton goaltender Jimmy Pietila (1) to score Tuesday night in Escanaba.

WELLS — The Escanaba Eskymos mounted an early challenge, but couldn’t stay with Houghton in an 8-3 hockey loss to the Gremlins Tuesday night.

Esky trailed just 4-3 after the opening frame before the Gremlins began to pull away in the second.

“The kids gave a good effort,” said Esky coach Matt Hughes. “It was back and forth in the first period. Unfortunately, they scored right at the end of the period and those always hurt.”

Houghton (5-1-1) went ahead to stay on senior forward Brandon Norkol’s unassisted goal with 32 seconds left in the first.

Houghton sophomore forward Landon Stevens opened the scoring three minutes, 12 seconds into the Great Lakes Conference contest.

Senior forward Spencer Bourdeau, however, tied the contest from point-blank range just 25 seconds later.

The Gremlins regained the lead at 4:50 when senior forward Tedd Halonen scored from the slot.

Junior forward Karson Krutina then evened the scored a wrap-around goal on a power play at 7:51.

“Karson brought the puck in from the goal line and went top shelf,” said Hughes. “That was a very nice goal.”

Halonen’s second goal, from the doorstep, put Houghton back in front at 14:57.

Esky again tied the score at 3 on a wrap-around by Bourdeau 59 seconds later.

“I was a little disappointed in our first period,” said Houghton coach Corey Markham. “Although, their power play goal was a nice goal. The guys weren’t doing their job defensively. We have an all-state goaltender (senior Jimmy Pietila), but we left him out to dry. I think the guys thought it would be a little easier. We became more committed and competed harder in the second period.”

Esky (1-6), which scored on three of its first four shots, fell behind by two goals 2:31 into the second stanza when senior forward Nathan Erva blasted a one-timer past junior goalie Bryce Buchbinder.

“That was a good goal for us,” said coach Markham. “Erva’s shot deflected off the pipe. There’s not much a goaltender can do about that.”

Sophomore forward Sully Rajala made it 6-3 from the low slot at 5:56, then added another goal from inside the left faceoff circle at 9:56.

Stevens concluded the scoring when his one-timer went top shelf 1:43 into the third.

The Gremlins, playing mostly a defensive style in recent years, have gone to more of a wide-open game this season.

“We’re trying to stretch out the ice this year,” said coach Markham. “We skate well as a team, but we’re the type of team that has to work for its goals. Matt’s kids always play hard. They competed real hard on defense.”

Bourdeau was injured and forced out of the contest midway through the third period. The extent of his injuries was unknown Tuesday night.

“We had a couple guys out, and Spencer getting injured made it harder,” said Hughes. “Our penalty kill did pretty well. They (Houghton) were very efficient. They’re fast and physical, and they’re in your face every time you go for the puck. They play hard in all three zones and make it hard for you to make plays.

“Houghton, Hancock, Calumet and Marquette are ranked in the top 10 in their divisions and in the top 25 overall in the state. The kids are frustrated, but the message we’re trying to deliver to them is: ‘this is what makes you better in the long run.'”

Houghton outshot Esky 40-12. Buchbinder stopped 32 shots, and Pietila had nine saves.

Esky travels to Marquette Friday. Houghton hosts Painesdale Jeffers Friday and Esky Saturday at Dee Stadium.

Houghton 4 3 1 — 8

Escanaba 3 0 0 — 3

Shots on goal: Houghton 40, Escanaba 12

Power plays: Houghton 0-3, Escanaba 1-3

Goaltender saves: Houghton (Pietila 9), Escanaba (Buchbinder 32)