Trenton has once again become flooded with high school hockey teams from all over the state of Michigan and neighboring states as the MIHL Showcase starts this weekend.

While the high school game has continued to grow with showcases across the state, the MIHL Showcase is considered the premier showcase attracting more than 40 schools and more than 80 scouts.  Most USHL and NAHL teams were represented, as were several Division III college hockey teams.  Scouts representing many of the leading Division I college hockey programs in the area were in attendance and there were several scouts representing NHL team.

Thursday night started the action packed weekend, and below we’ll let you know how the action unfolded.

Riverview Gabriel Richard 4, Port Huron Northern 2: The Pioneers used a two goal first period to help secure a 4-2 win over Northern. Defensemen Jacob Emery wasted little time getting on the board for a 1-0 lead 2:48 into the period, assisted by Cam Flynn. Austin Harrison followed up with a goal eight and half minutes later Nate Vazquez assisted.

Northern powered back in the second period with and early goal from Logan O’Flanagan that was assisted by Brendan Dickinson before GR answered with two goals from Chance DeSana and Vazquez for a 4-1 lead. Dickinson and O’Flanagan connected for the final goal of the night for Northern with 1:44 left in the second.

Utica Eisenhower 4, University Liggett 2: Ike had to recover in the third period after giving up a two goal lead for a 4-2 win.

Param Vyas opened the scoring for the Eagles as Peyton Medovarsky assisted in the first period. Jack Hammond increased the lead in the second period with his fifth goal of the season.

Liggett’s Doug Wood and Luke Zinn (PPG) erased the lead soon after in the third period before Justin Heileg retook the lead for Ike with 6:58 left in the third period. Blake Kuczaj secured an empty net goal with 28 seconds left in the third period.

Howell 5, Allen Park 1: The Highlanders entered the game on a bit of a losing skid, but five unanswered goals helped Howell get back into the win column.

Leo Tiefry scored the lone goal for Allen Park 5:17 into the first period before Dominic Rossi answered four minutes later. Then the goal deluge opened after a goal by Brent Wolf increased the lead, 2-1 in the second period. Rossi, Leander Daavettila (PPG), and Graham Hassan (PPG) all scored in the third period for Howell to complete the win.

Grosse Point North 3, Wyandotte 2: Connor Albrecht’s two goal first period led the way for North, and helped end a four game losing streak for the Norsemen. Frank Lucido added a tally in the second period. Wyandotte received goals from Alex Benkarski and Zakk Ciaravino in the first and third period.

Macomb Dakota 3, Saline 1: The Hornets were one of the hottest teams entering the showcase with 11 straight wins. Saline peppered Dakota goaltender Michael Kwapisz who stopped 37 of 38 shots he faced.

Senior Mikhail Lozovyy scored a Saline leading 12th goal of the season to late the first period. The second period belonged the Cougars, however. Ryan Bookout evened the score, 1-1, before Jared Yuhasz tallied a short handed goal for the lead 1:34 later. Tyler Payne secured an empty net insurance goal with 18 seconds left that Kwapisz assisted.

Salem 7, Woodhaven 4: The final game of the night was an offensive explosion where 51 shots on net were tallied between both teams. Salem’s Alex Schaumburger led the rocks with a hat-trick and an assist for a four point night. Schaumburger tallied goals in each period, including a power play goal in the third.

The Rocks scored three goals in the first period off Devin Greyshaw, Schaumburger, and Giuseppe DeRose. Woodhaven’s Carsen MacDonell tallied a hat trick of his own in the second period, and Jacob Kornoejle added a goal in a four goal effort. Salem answered with goals from Josh German (PPG), Schaumburger, and Colin Goleniak.

While six games were played on Thursday night, 18 more games will be played on Friday. Check back with the hub for results of those games, as well as Saturday’s 18 game slate as well.