“We have been working on these plays in practice,” Sands said. “I haven’t been able to hit the net in practice but it doesn’t matter if you can hit them in the game. It always feels good to get a win against a Copper Country team.”

The Eskymos got on the board with 14:26 to go in the first period as Henry Sholten scored off assists by Graham Johnson and Sands to put the Eskymos up 1-0.

Only :13 later Brady Axford found the back of the net off assists by Forrest LaCourt and Ted Kilpela to tie the game at one.

The Eskymos answered back with :16 to go in the first period as Sands found the back of the net off the assists from Owen LaBonte and Nolan Bink to put the Eskymos back in front 2-1.

Escanaba senior Ben Sands celebrates after scoring a goal against Hancock on Dec. 9, 2025 at the Hannahville Ice and Turf Complex in Wells. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

With 16:34 to go in the second period, the Eskymos extended their lead to 3-1 as Graham Johnson scored on the power play off assists by Bink and LaBonte.

Hancock senior Kirby Storm scored off the assist by Ben Keranen to cut the deficit to 3-2.

With 11:44 to go in the second quarter Hancock was hit with a double penalty as Connor Helminen was hit with cross-checking and Jax Pierner was hit for roughing giving the Eskymos a two-man advantage skating five on three. With :22 seconds remaining on the power play Sands made a nice move off assists by Bink and Sholten to find the back of the net for the second power play goal of the night for the Eskymos to take a 4-2 lead.

“We were playing great hockey the first and second periods of the game,” Eskymos coach Andy Johnson said. “We came out in the third period thinking the game was won and Hancock told us otherwise.”

With 6:19 to go in the second period, Sands completed the hat trick as he scored off assists by Sholten and Graham Johnson to extend the Eskymos lead to 5-2. Then with 4:08 to go in the second period, Graham Johnson scored a shorthanded goal off assists by Sholyen and Sands.

The third period belonged all to Hancock as the Bulldogs outscored the Eskymos 3-0 and put 16 shots on goal to only five for the Eskymos.

“We got a little to confident in that third period,” Andy Johnson said. “These Copper Country teams are not going to roll over and let you win. We have to keep fighting and not just watch guys and we did that in the third period and that hurt us but we found the adversity to get out with the win.”

With 6:04 to go in the game, Axford scored on the assists by LaCourt and Chase Keranen to cut the deficit to 6-3 and moments later Axford found the back of the net again off an assist by Jax Pierner to cut the deficit to 6-4.

“It was a tough start for us tonight,” Axford said. “I’m proud of the way we battled back and finished the game strong our attitude was a lot better and we played well as a team.”

Hancock cut the Eskymos lead to 6-5 on a goal by Conner Helminem off assists by Ted Kilpela and Charlie Bastian with 2:37 to go in the game. The Bulldogs pulled thier goalie and had a couple chances including a last second shot by Axford that went wide and the Eskymos held on for the win.

The Eskymos will be back in action Friday as the host Negaunee before a matchup with Houghton Saturday at home.