Minnesota Hockey Hub | MN Boys High School Hockey

Devin Kero stopped 38 of 40 shots, and Scott Cuthrell scored twice as Michigan upended the Minnesota Seniors 5-2 on Saturday, April 21, at Plymouth Ice Center to reach the championship game of the CCM Minnesota National Invitational Tournament.

Michigan plays the Minnesota U-18s on Sunday at noon in the championship game. The Minnesota Seniors play North Dakota at 10:45 a.m. in the third-place game.

Kero, from Hancock, Mich., made 10 of his saves in the final period as the Minnesota Seniors, winners last year’s tournament, applied heavy pressure in the Michigan zone.

Michigan led 2-1 after the first period and 3-2 entering the third. Cuthrell, from Waterford’s Mott High School, scored his second goal with 8 minutes, 32 seconds remaining to put Michigan ahead 4-2. Michael Gambino added an empty net goal with 1:13 left.

Michigan’s Thomas Ebbing and Derek Makimaa scored in the first period, as did Minnesota Seniors defenseman Brian LeBlanc on a blast from the point.

Ian Janco of Bloomington Jefferson scored in the second period for the Minnesota Seniors, also on a shot from the blue line.

Jon Narverud of Thief River Falls and John Scheuer of Cloquet split the goaltending duties. Narverud was the starter and made nine saves on 12 shots through the first period and a half. Scheuer made 14 saves on 15 shots.