IRON MOUNTAIN — In a late afternoon Great Lakes Hockey Conference match-up, Kingsford scored two third-period lamp-lighters, but it was the visiting Escanaba icers who prevailed, 5-4 at Mountain View Ice Arena here Saturday.

The Flivvers got on the scoreboard first with an unassisted goal from Hunter Fortner. Less than a minute later, Gabe Lafreniere scored for the home team, to put them ahead 2-0. The Eskymos two first-period goals came from Ayden Mylander, and with under 30 seconds left in the period, Nick Kolich scored his first of two lamp-lighters in the game.

“Our play in the first period, was good until the last couple of minutes,” said Kingsford head coach Greg Wadge.

The second period was the difference in the game, as Escanaba’s Gunner Bourdeau tallied two goals, with Kolich’s second goal of the game coming between Bourdeau’s goals. Escanaba took a 5-2 lead into the second intermission.

“The latter part of the first period and throughout the whole second period, we played badly, and it showed,” Wadge added. “We skated hard and played hard in the final period. Our compete level was very good in the final period, and our defense stepped up as well.”

Iron Mountain students David Juul and Beau Kralovec tallied the two previously mentioned goals for the Flivvers in the final period. Kingsford goalie Isaiah Anderson had 25 saves.

“It was kind of a standstill most of the third period,” said Esky coach Matt Hughes. “We got a little complacent. We took a penalty with five minutes left. Fortunately, for us, we were able to hold them off. It was good for us to be in a close game. It’s a difficult task for most of these kids to play two games in one day, although I think the kids responded well. I think this will be a positive thing for us. We went through some trials in the first half of the season. Hopefully, this is some momentum for us, and we can build off that for the playoffs. It’s hard to beat a team three times in a row, but I think the boys are prepared for it.”

Escanaba 2 3 0 — 5

Kingsford 2 0 2 — 4

1st Period:

K– Hunter Fortner (Unassisted), 0:35, 1-0

K– Gabe Lafreniere (Dan Maki), 1:10, 2-0

E– Ayden Mylander (Gunner Bourdeau), 13:11, 2-1

E– Nick Kolich (Spencer Bourdeau), 16:31, 2-2

2nd Period:

E– Gunner Bourdeau (Spencer Bourdeau), 7:05, 3-2

E– Kolich (Spencer Bourdeau, Karson Krutina), 7:20. 4-2

E– Gunner Bourdeau (Trevor Streichert), 12:44, 5-2

3rd Period:

K– David Juul (Fortner, Carter Kreski), 3:56, 5-3

K– Beau Kralovec (Kreski, Jack Perpich), 12:50, 5-4

In game one of the doubleheader Saturday morning, it was Escanaba that powered past Kingsford, 7-1. Gunner Bourdeau and Jayger LaMarch each tallied two goals for the Eskymos. Nick Kolich recorded two assists as did teammate Sawyer LaMarch.

Eskimos Spencer Bourdeau, Karson Krutina and Brayden Martineau tallied lamp-lighters in the contest.

Also recording assists for Escanaba were Trevor Streichert, Brayden Roberts, Krutina, Spencer Bourdeau, Braden Sundquist and Kadon Hayes.

The lone Kingsford goal was scored by Hunter Fortner, with Carter Kreski and Beau Kralovec credited with helpers.

“We came out flat and played poor the whole game,” said Kingsford head coach Greg Wadge. “I think it may have been the worst entire game we played all season.”

Wadge noted that the Flivvers allowed 19 shots on goalie Isaiah Anderson in the first period alone.

“We were able to get pucks deep,” said Hughes. “We won battles on the wall and were fortunate enough to win the face-off battles and create opportunities.”

With the two losses, the Flivvers lost their 10th game in a row to fall to finish the regular season at 3-11 (3-11 GLHC). Escanaba, which won its seventh game in a row, after starting the season 1-9, wrapped up the regular season at 8-9.

The teams play one another on Thursday in an MHSAA Division 2 regional semifinal at Mountain View Ice Arena. Opening face-off will be at 5 p.m. CDT, with the winner to advance to the Regional championship game on Saturday at 1 p.m. EDT at the winner of Thursday’s Negaunee at Marquette semifinal match-up.

Kingsford 0 0 1 — 1

Escanaba 4 2 1 — 7