October 18-20 was one of the biggest sports weekends of the year with rivalries, championships and more. Read up on the events through our fellow media outlets in MQT. Managing Editor Brice Burge

The Redmen defeated the Kingsford Flivvers 2-0 at the Kaufman Sports Complex. MQT finishes the season 18-5-2 and undefeated at home. Joe Weber and Andrew Banitt scored for the Redmen, both in the first half.
Read more in this article by Mining Journal's Delaney Lovett.

The boys and girls cross country teams also won the UP Championships. The girls team dominated the race, finishing with 27 points. Runner up Calumet finished with 89. Lindsey Rudden (19:42) and Amber Huebner (19:56) finished in second and third for MQT.
Read more in this special article by John Vrancic for the Mining Journal.

The boys team won behind the duo of Lance Rambo and Robert Riebolt who took first and second overall. Rambo (right) was the only runner to break 17 minutes. MQT had 42 points to best Escanaba (75) and Houghton (86).
Read more in this special article by John Vrancic for the Mining Journal.

By Brandon Decremer
Royales Beat Writer

A true rivalry in the Great Lakes division may have began at Lakeview Arena, as the Royales (14-2) swept the Illiana Blackbirds (10-4) this past weekend Oct. 18-20. With first place in the Great Lakes Division on the line, the two teams fought personal, hard hitting games.

After the sweep, the Royales improve their lead in the division to seven points at the expense of the Blackbirds. However, the 158 total penalty minutes for the series (52.67 penalty minutes per game) and multiple fights made this a rough series for both teams.

By Brice Burge
Managing Editor

When the Wildcats take the ice against the University of Nebraska-Omaha this weekend, a lot more will be on the line than appears. Yes, the 'Cats are looking to bounce back after being swept by #3 Wisconsin last week. Yes, they also need to be part of a conference-wide movement to win non-conference games to give the new-look WCHA a better chance to send multiple teams to the NCAA tournament. But more importantly, the Northern faithful will try to defend a megaphone against the invading Red Army.

UNO's and NMU's fan groups share the Spiritphone Trophy, a giant plastic megaphone decorated in Maverick and Wildcat colors. According to rules established in 2008 on a gentleman's agreement between coaches, the trophy goes to the overall winner of the games played during the season. In case of a tie, the team currently in control of the Spiritphone keeps it.

By Brandon Decremer
Royales Beat Writer

First place in the Great Lakes division of this early Minnesota Junior Hockey League season is up for grabs, as the Royales (11-2) take on the visiting Illiana Blackbirds (10-1) this weekend Oct. 18-20. Illiana had first place in the division until MQT passed them by one point after a three game sweep over St.Louis last weekend, which included a 25 goal three game performance for the Royales offense.

Both teams are heading into this contest currently enjoying winning streaks. The Royales are on an 11-0 run after dropping the first two games of the season and the Blackbirds are on a five game hot streak after losing to the Tri-City Icehawks on Sept. 21. Goaltending and defense have been a big part of both squads success this season as they are number one and two in goals against in the Great Lakes division with the Royales and Illiana posting 27 and 36 goals against respectively.

By Brandon Decremer
Royales Beat Writer

Goals were in abundance at Lakeview Arena this past weekend Oct. 11-13 as the MQT Royales swept the three-game series against the visiting St.Louis Frontenac’s. The Royales started the weekend off with two offensive explosions scoring 22 goals in the first two games with two shut-outs. Sunday’s third and final game was a little closer as St.Louis got on the scoreboard for the first time in a 3-1 loss.

By Brandon Decremer
Royales Beat Writer

The red hot Marquette Royales are hosting the St. Louis Frontenacs in a three-game weekend set, Oct. 11-14. The Royales had last weekend off after they swept the Central Wisconsin Saints 3-1, 7-2 and 5-3 on Sept. 27-29. While the Royales are trying to extend their eight-game winning streak on Friday, St. Louis (0-7) will be trying to do the exact opposite and end their winless start to the season.