Kingsford freshman defenseman Colin Olsen and Hancock junior Ted Heinonen come together in pursuit of the puck during Thursday's varsity hockey game at Mountain View Ice Arena. (Ron Deuter photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN – Buried in a five-game losing streak, the Kingsford varsity hockey team will attempt to correct course this evening at Manistique.

The Flivvers (8-9-0) came up empty in three games last week, falling at home 7-1 to Escanaba Tuesday evening, 2-0 to Hancock on Thursday and 4-3 on the road at Mosinee (Wis.) in double overtime on Friday night to slip below the .500 mark for the first time since early December.

With the offense sputtering of late, The Flivvers looked ready to snap their skid Friday night, taking a lead midway through the third period against the Indians with a goal by sophomore Casey Clisch and an assist from junior Seth Greenleaf. But the hosts evened things up late in the stanza and eventually won on a breakaway tally in the second overtime.

Junior Jonah Doenier ripped a game-tying goal midway through the second period to make 1-1, with assists from senior Cam Stratton and junior Jack Spreen. Senior Jake Deuter collected a turnover and quickly buried an unassisted go-ahead marker late in the frame, but the Indians knotted the game 3-3 in the first minute of the final period.

In the two losses at Mountain View earlier in the week, the Flivvers struggled to find rhythm offensively and were handily outshot in each contest. The game against Hancock was scoreless until late in the second period, and Hancock added another at the 11:08 mark of the third to shutout the Flivvers for a second time this season. The Bulldogs held a 35-11 advantage in shots.

Against Escanaba on Tuesday, the state-ranked Eskymos beat the Flivvers for a third time this season, racking up five first period goals to put the game well out of reach, holding a 35-17 edge in shots. Deuter had the lone goal for the Flivvers, taking a feed from senior captain Will Murvich and beating Esky netminder Cully Hayes for the only goal of the second period.

Senior Nate Scullon started the game but had to exit in the third period after injuring his hamstring. Sophomore Alex Hemgren finished that game and was between the pipes against Hancock and Mosinee. Scullon is expected to return before the season concludes, but it will be a couple of weeks before he can go.

Manistique could be just what the doctor ordered for the scuffling Flivvers. In a previous meeting this season, the opener back on Nov. 11, the Flivvers pounded the Emeralds 8-0. Manistique shows a 2-13-1 record on the season.