SAULT STE. MARIE – The overall play continued to improve for the Cheboygan Chiefs hockey team during two games played in Sault Ste. Marie over the weekend. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, they fell short in both contests by suffering a 3-2 overtime loss to St. Mary’s (Ontario) on Friday and then a 3-1 setback to Kingsford on Saturday.

Braxton Esper and Warren Farver netted a goal apiece to lead Cheboygan against St. Mary’s. Gavin Rose added two assists. Goaltender Sawyer Graham made 42 saves. Against Kingsford, Colt Lane scored Cheboygan’s lone goal, Farver tallied an assist, and Graham recorded 23 stops through two periods.  

Despite the Chiefs (1-7) losing both, Cheboygan coach Seth Duncan sees the progression his squad is making after a slow start to the campaign.  

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“It was a tall task. With injuries and illness, we started (Friday night) with 12 skaters and had 11 by the end of the game,” Duncan said. “Friday night we had our fair share of chances to go ahead and win the game. Sawyer (Graham) played out of his mind and kept us right in it. (Saturday) was a good game from start to finish. Coach (Jordan) Yost and I couldn’t be prouder of the way our guys fought through adversity and just played hockey. 

“We are starting to turn a corner and I am excited to see where things go once we are healthy.”

Cheboygan travels to Cadillac for a 6 p.m. clash on Wednesday, Dec. 6.

Pellston boys basketball opens season with win  

ENGADINE – A team-high 22 points from Jack Schmalzried fueled the Pellston boys basketball team, which opened its campaign with a 54-37 victory at Engadine on Friday.  

“It’s great for us to start the season with a win,” Pellston coach Nate Meinke said. “We have a lot to clean up and work on for next week, but there were a lot of positives to build on.” 

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Joshua Grondin scored 11 points for Pellston (1-0). Connor Keller added 10.  

Pellston travels to face Pickford in a 7 p.m. non-conference clash on Tuesday, Dec. 5.  

Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at[email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter@sportsCDT