SAULT STE. MARIE — Escanaba dealt Sault Ste. Marie its first home loss of the season Friday night.

The Eskymos scored four unanswered goals in the second period and dropped the Blue Devils 6-2 in a non-conference hockey game at Big Bear Arena.

The Eskymos (6-9) won their fifth straight game overall and completed a sweep of the season series over the Blue Devils.

“It was important for us to get off to a good start, especially on the road,” Escanaba coach Matt Hughes said. “We’ve played the Sault already and knew they would never give up, so it was nice to get the lead early. We created some turnovers, and it was one of those nights where guys seemed to find themselves in the right spots at the right times. We were able to capitalize on our chances.”

In a night where the Eskymos filled the scoresheet, Nick Kolich scored two goals while Sawyer LaMarch, Spencer Bourdeau, Brayden Roberts and Jayger LaMarch also netted goals. Sawyer LaMarch also had two assists.

Esky led 2-1 after the first period and made it 3-1 when Kolich collected a Sault turnover and skated in alone to score with a backhand shot past Sault goalie Tristan Forgrave just 27 seconds into the second period.

That was the first of four straight Eskymo goals.

Spencer Bourdeau, Roberts and Jayger LaMarch scored to push the lead to 6-1.

The Blue Devils switched goaltenders following the fourth goal, as Camden Labadie entered the game.

Sault High freshman defenseman Jay Dunbar scored the only goal of the third period to make the final 6-2.

Dunbar and Aaron Kogan scored goals, while Kogan and Jack Swan had assists for the Blue Devils (4-5). The Sault finished 3-1 on home ice in the pandemic-shortened season.

Escanaba goaltender Dylan Ziemke finished with 24 saves. Sault goalies Forgrave and Labadie combined to make 16 saves.

“I thought the first period was probably our worst of the year,” Sault High coach Rick Mackie said. “A slow start and we end up spotting them three or four goals before you know it. We’re not good enough to play from behind. So the start alone lost the game for us.

“It wasn’t Tristan’s fault,” Mackie said. “I don’t blame him one bit. I blame the guys in front of him. We got down 6-1 heading into the third period. After that, we just wanted to win a period, and we accomplished that much. It was important to at least end it on a positive note. The night wasn’t a total loss, but it was disappointing for sure.”

It was Senior Night for the Blue Devils, who celebrated seniors Alex French, Ryan Horton, Nick Gerrie and Jack Swan following the game.

Escanaba is scheduled to play two games at Kingsford Saturday in what will be a regional preview matchup.

“The boys worked hard tonight to come away with a good road win,” Hughes said. “This was the first time we’ve played on the bigger (Olympic) ice sheet. We have some quick guys this year. Maybe it would have been good to play a few more games on Olympic ice.

“Right now, the goal is just trying to finish strong in our last two regular-season games tomorrow,” Hughes said. “Hopefully, we are peaking at the right time. We need to keep up our level or play and stay healthy going into the playoffs.”

Sault High visits Petoskey on Saturday in its final regular season game.