The Flivvers (11-12-0) received a go-ahead goal from senior captain Will Murvich in the opening moments of the third period to bust a 1-1 tie, and junior Jonah Doenier scored twice – including an empty-net tally with 18 seconds left to play – as Kingsford notched 11 wins for the first time since the 2019-20 team went 11-11-0.

“I thought our guys played well,” Flivvers head coach Greg Wadge said. “I thought we were good through the neutral zone. Passing was a little off at times. We had tons of opportunities, plenty of shots. We couldn’t put the puck in the net. Ended up hitting the goalie a bunch. But yeah, I thought overall, everybody looked good. I was pleased with the speed and especially through neutral zone.”

The Flivvers ripped 48 shots to the Emeralds’ 23 but found it difficult to break through against junior goaltender Jackson Goudreau. Despite their 3-19-1 record, this was a different Manistique squad than the one the Flivvers mercy ruled 8-0 on the season’s opening night back in November. The Emeralds came into Mountain View having split their previous two contests, with those games both decided by just a goal.

The teams will face off again in a MHSAA regional game Tuesday at Mountain View, with the winner heading to Marquette for a regional semifinal on Feb. 19.

Kingsford senior alternate captain Jake Deuter battles for position in front of the net during the second period against Manistique Tuesday at Mountain view Ice Arena. Deuter collected two assists in the game.

Goudreau kept the Flivvers frustrated deep into Tuesday’s game, keeping Kingsford off the scoreboard for nearly two full periods. The Emeralds grabbed a lead with a shot by junior Joe Noble from between the circles up and over the right shoulder of senior goalie Nate Scullon with 6:15 to play in the second period. But that score was quickly answered by the Flivvers, as Doenier connected 57 seconds later, knocking in a rebound of a shot from the high slot by sophomore Paolo Lenzi.

When the third period opened, it was senior Jake Deuter blasting one from the top of the right circle with Murvich camped amongst traffic in front of the net and redirecting the puck past Goudreau. Sophomore Casey Clisch also had an assist on the play.

Deuter tallied a second assist, helping poke the puck ahead to Doenier from neutral ice for the empty netter at the end of the game.

Doenier’s double goal effort gave him eight for the season. Murvich’s score was his 15th of the year, increasing his team lead in points to 28. Deuter’s assists brought his total up to five for 15 points on the year. Clisch now has five assists and 24 points for the season.

The Emeralds had a few prime chances to tie the game late in the third, as they pelted 10 of their 23 shots in the final frame. But Scullon was up for the challenge, collecting his eighth win against five losses and dropping his goals against average to 2.82.

Kingsford’s regular season concludes tonight with a trip to Calumet. With Manistique retuning here next week, the Flivvers have a good chance at their first postseason win since 2018 when Kingsford advanced to a state quarterfinal. Tuesday’s playoff game is set for a 5:30 p.m. puck drop.