Saints, Voyagers Up 1-0 in Respective Series, Quarterfinals to Conclude This Weekend

ALPENA — Despite the best efforts of the Alpena 45ers (5-20-1, 0-1) they could not hold serve at Northern Lights Arena losing to the St. Ignace Saints (12-13-0, 1-0) 5-3 just prior to Easter.      

Ben Henry had a strong game scoring a couple of goals. Jack Vautour finished with a pair of helpers while Cody Bordeau also recorded a goal for the 45ers.  

Three different players scored just as many points for the Saints. The defensemen duo of Logan DeKeyser (two goals and an assist) and Jordan Ritchie (a goal and two assists) combined for six points! Brent Defour relished the setup role as he recorded three assists. Jeremy Pallot-Behling and Hunter Mead collected a goal apiece for the Saints.  

Daniel Rouillard was strong once again as he finished with 38 saves in the victory. Brandon Sartor took the loss for the 45ers stopping 27 shots.  

The best-of-3 series is set to shift to Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie. Game time for Saturday is at 7 p.m. EST. While Game 3 (if necessary) will have a 2 p.m. start. The winner of this MIHL North quarterfinal matchup will face the Kalkaska Kings (21-3-1).  

See the game sheet here.  

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MUSKEGON — Haymakers were exchanged back-and-forth between the Muskegon Voyagers (15-10-0, 1-0) and the Michigan Shadow (17-8-0, 0-1) at Lakeshore Sports Centre and despite all the wild swings of momentum it was the Voyagers that did exactly what they needed to do. Come out on top and take Game 1 at all costs. A crazy 7-6 victory despite outshooting Michigan 56-26!       

Even though the game was tied 4-4 after 40 minutes of play... the Shadow had rattled off four-straight goals at one point to take a 4-2 lead in the middle frame.  

Jonathan Juliano finished with a pair of goals and an assist. Shadow captain James Ryerse ended up with three assists. Both Joel Frazee and Jameson Milam added a goal and an assist. Theodore Rowell and Samuel Gagnon contributed a goal for the Shadow.

Balanced scoring was also found for the Voyagers as Jeremy Joyce connected and found the back of the net on a pair of chances. Riley Pitchure, Jake Nanna, Ryan Gamber and Andrew Taylor all scored a goal as well. Assistant captain Luke McCarthy found three helpers during Game 1 while Dylan Smith also contributed a goal and an assist for Muskegon. 

Caleb Van Heest didn’t have the outing he would have liked recording just 20 saves... but his team is up a game in this critical series. Elijah Gibbons was under siege in the loss but managed to stop 49 shots.  

It’s going to be interesting to see what takes place this weekend at Big Boy Arena.  

The start times are also a bit earlier than usual for the games typically played in Fraser throughout the regular season. Game 2 will be played at 6 p.m. EST and Game 3 (if necessary) will begin at 2 p.m.  

Also, a reminder that you can watch the action via the Go Live Sports Cast crew or listen on 92.5 Sunny FM. I’ve already included those links in the “2026 MIHL Playoff Preview” here.     

Muskegon has not won a game on the road against the Shadow this season... but the postseason is a whole different animal.  

I should have playoff coverage to comb through and post after the festivities have concluded.  

The winner of this MIHL South quarterfinal matchup will face the Waterford Sharks (18-6-1).  

See the game sheet here.

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John Ott       

Media Director, Voice of the Waterford Sharks