Marlins boys hockey splits final weekend of 2024

HURON, S.D. — The Mitchell Marlins boys hockey teams closed out the 2024 calendar with a split over the weekend.

Mitchell saw a 4-1 lead slip away at home on Friday, as Sioux Falls East won a close contest 6-5 in overtime, before bouncing back up north with a resounding 8-2 win over the Huron All Stars.

Friday’s game at the Mitchell Activities Center saw the Marlins score three goals in the opening period from the sticks of Parker Denne, Esten Schlimgen and Everett Morrison. Schlimgen’s goal came off an assist from Brody Huls. The Flyers pounced in the second period, scoring four goals in the final five minutes of the frame to take the lead.

With three minutes remaining in the third period, Luke Jerke found Morrison to tie the game, the latter’s second goal of the game and 11th goal of the season, forcing the overtime period. Early on, Thatcher May sent the Flyers home happy with his second goal of the game off assists from Vincent Thill and Owen Sechser.

Four different Sioux Falls players scored in the game, with May and Ryan Fenton each scoring twice and picking up an assist. Pacxton Denne also picked up a goal for the Marlins.

Against Huron on Saturday, Mitchell scored seven times in the final two periods to seal the win over the All Stars. Parker Denne picked up his second four-goal game of the season, scoring three times in the second period and tallying another in the third. He also assisted on Esten Schlimgen’s power-play goal in the third, as Mitchell was 4-of-8 on the advantage.

Schlimgen scored twice in the win, while Morrison and Pacxton Denne each picked up a goal. Ian Vaughn stopped 22-of-24 shot attempts, as the Marlins outshot Huron 43-24 for the game. Jace Bales and Carlos Ardon collected the All Stars’ goals.

Mitchell (3-4) opens 2025 with a home contest against the Brandon Valley IceCats at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, at the Mitchell Activities Center.

BROOKINGS — It was all Brookings in the team’s weekend doubleheader against the Mitchell Marlins girls hockey team.

The Bobcats jumped out to a five-goal lead in Saturday’s contest in an eventual 6-3 win over the Marlins. On Sunday, Brookings shut out Mitchell by a final of 5-0.

All three of the Marlins’ goals came in the third period on Saturday, as Kenna Tronnes scored four minutes into the frame unassisted. She added a second goal off the assist from LiVaya Mimmack with eight minutes remaining. Mimmack also scored off assists from Tronnes and Reese Amick, as Mitchell outshot Brookings 31-28.

However, the Bobcats were in command by the third period, as five players scored in the opening two periods, and six for the game. Miyah Foerster, Anna Rasmussen, Ava Kahle and Kinzey Grendler each finished with a goal and assist.

The balance from Brookings was on full display on Sunday, outshooting Mitchell 38-19 with five players scoring in the shutout victory. Grendler and Sawyer Tripplet each picked up a goal and assist in the game, while Foerster, Ashton Otteson and Grace DeVries also found the back of the net.

Jordyn Anderson, Brooke Kruse and Khloe Ziegeldorf recorded assists in the game, and goalie Rorii Quam collected 18 saves in net to earn the shutout victory.

Mitchell (1-5) closes out 2024 with three home games against the Rushmore Thunder, beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 27, at the Mitchell Activities Center.