MANISTIQUE — Senior Jake Deuter and junior Jack Spreen each tallied a pair of goals as Kingsford blasted Manistique 8-0 Tuesday evening at Little Bear West Arena to open the varsity hockey season. The contest ended at 6:15 of the third period via the mercy rule.

“It was a great all-around effort to start the season, a really good way to start the season,” Flivvers head coach Greg Wadge said. “We had a lot of guys on the scoresheet and (senior goalie Nate Scullon) was good between the pipes.”

Junior Jonah Doenier, sophomores Carter Steber and Casey Clisch, and freshman Paolo Lenzi also netted scores for the Flivvers, who took a 4-0 first period lead to set the tone and commanded a 36-9 advantage in shots.

Deuter opened the scoring at 12:23 of the first with assists from senior Will Murvich and Doenier. Spreen made it 2-0 with 5:00 to go in the first, Lenzi and freshman Colin Olsen adding assists. Steber added a third goal 33 seconds later with another assist from Murvich, and Doenier took a pass from junior Seth Greenleaf at 2:10 of the first for the fourth tally.

A power play goal by Lenzi with a helper from Spreen made it 5-0 at 10:10 of the second. Clisch scored a shorthanded goal for the Flivvers at 11:54 of the third with an assist by Murvich. Deuter collected his second goal at 10:09 with assists from Greenleaf and Clisch, and Spreen ended the game at 6:15 with helpers from Doenier and Lenzi.

“We have lots to work on yet, but they are doing what we are asking of them,” Wadge said. “We were very pleased with their performance.”

The Kingsford hockey co-op features a younger squad this season, with 10 underclassmen including four freshman and a trio of first year sophomores. The Flivvers have 10 returning players including the senior class of Deuter, Murvich, Scullon and Cam Stratton.

Last year’s squad posted a 10-13-2 record, but with a large chunk of the offense graduated, it’ll be on others to step up and fill the void. Murvich (7G-13A), Spreen (10G-5A) and Deuter (4G-6A) were all double digits in points last season.

Scullon will be the main goalie for a second straight season. He posted a 3.26 goals against average and an .878 save percentage last year. Also returning in net is sophomore Alex Hemgren who appeared in eight games last year with a 3.83 GAA and an .825 save percentage.   

“We have a great group of kids who are willing to learn and do what is asked of them,” Wadge said . “So far I am very pleased with the culture on the ice and in the locker room. We are looking forward to working with them and getting better every day.”

Wadge is once again joined on the bench by Dennis Murvich and Chris Moore. Erik Berglund has also been hired as an assistant coach.

Kingsford plays five of its first six games on the road. The Flivvers visit Escanaba next, playing on Tuesday in what will be a tough early season task with the Eskymos featuring a talented senior-heavy group with high expectations. The Flivvers will head to Negaunee after that on Nov. 20 before hosting Jeffers for the home opener on Tuesday, Dec. 2. The Jets lost a one-goal decision in a state semifinal last year, posting an impressive 21-4 record.

Kingsford’s roster:

OFFENSE

Freshman: Jacob Waara (KHS), Tyler Berglund (KHS), Eli Siren (IMHS). Sophomore: Jackson Fox (KHS), Casey Clisch (KHS), Paolo Lenzi (IMHS). Junior: Jonah Doenier (KHS), Jack Spreen (KHS). Senior: Will Murvich (KHS), Jake Deuter (KHS), Cam Stratton (KHS).

DEFENSE

Freshman: Colin Olsen (KHS). Sophomore: Trinton Paynter (KHS), Carter Steber (KHS). Junior: Seth Greenleaf (IMHS).

GOALTENDING

Sophomore: Alex Hemgren (KHS). Senior: Nate Scullon (KHS).