Escanaba junior Ben Sands (9) fires a shot on goal during a game against Ashwaubenon on Feb. 11, 2025 at the Hannahville Turf and Ice Complex. (Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

WELLS — The Escanaba Eskymos survived a crash course in overcoming adversity here Saturday, grinding out a 5-2 hockey triumph over the Kingsford Flivvers in a Division 3 regional opener.

Esky (16-10), which took seven penalties in the contest, resumes in Tuesday’s title game at Sault Ste. Marie (11-13-1). Kingsford finished 9-14-2.

“Our penalty kill unit got plenty of practice today,” Esky coach Andy Johnson said. “Not that it was needed or wanted, but when our seniors were freshmen they kind of got into a good penalty kill.”

The Flivvers went 2-for-6 on the power play. Esky, which had one power play opportunity late in the game, scored all of its goals at even strength.

Sophomore forward Jack Spreen gave Kingsford a 2-1 lead on its second power play from point-blank range 9:33 into the second period.

It took the Eskymos just eight seconds to respond with freshman defenseman Ben Sands tying the score from the doorstep.

“Ben got around their guys and his goal took away their momentum,” Johnson said. “The guys kept battling and killed off the penalties. This was all about overcoming adversity, surviving and improving. I think our schedule prepared us for this type of game. This is the one we needed to get through.”

Junior forward Graham Johnson recorded a natural hat trick in the third frame.

His first goal came at 1:29 from the doorstep, giving Esky a 3-2 lead. He added another one from the slot with 52 seconds left to play and an empty-netter with 3.7 seconds remaining.

“Between periods (second and third) we talked about getting pucks on net, and I think Graham’s first goal was kind of a back-breaker for them,” coach Johnson said. “Their goaltender (junior Nate Scullon) did a great job and Cully (Hayes) played a great game. Cully was solid between the pipes.”

The Flivvers showed no signs of backing down, outshooting the Eskymos 11-7 in the first period.

Senior forward Jaxon Buckley scored on a power play 3:19 into the contest.

Junior defenseman Nolan Bink provided the Eskymos with the equalizer from the point at 12:05.

“It was a good game,” Kingsford coach Greg Wadge said. “We had 3-4 guys who could put the puck in the net. I thought the first two periods were good. We were up 2-1 and their second goal was a back-breaker right there. That changed the momentum. In the last 4-5 games we had been playing pretty good hockey. We peaked at the right time. We’re losing six seniors. We’ll be young next year.”

Kingsford finished with a 26-25 shots on goal edge. Hayes stopped 24 shots and Scullon had 21 saves.

“Their goaltender did a great job between the pipes,” Wadge said. “They have a very good team. They also have some guys who can put the puck in the net.”

Tuesday’s game will be the first meeting between Sault and Esky this season.

“Sault has a great team,” coach Johnson said. “It’s going to be a tough match-up, but it will be a good game for sure.”

Box score

Kingsford 1 1 0 — 2

Escanaba 1 1 3 — 5

Scoring plays:

First period

K — Buckley (Moore Crockford), power play, 3:19

E — Bink (Martinson, Braun), 12:06

Second period

K — Stratton (Greenleaf), power play, 9:33

E — Sands (unassisted), 9:41

Third period

E — Johnson (Carter), 1:29

E — Johnson (Sands, Martinson), 16:08

E — Johnson (Bink, Carter), empty net, 16:57

Statistics:

Shots on goal: Kingsford 26, Escanaba 25

Power plays: Kingsford 2-6, Escanaba 0-1

Goaltender saves: Escanaba (Hayes 24), Kingsford (Scullon 21).