News Photo by Steve Schulwitz A pair of Alpena Wildcats skate to gather a loose puck near the blueline during its 3-1 victory over Sparta on Saturday. The win pushes the Wildcats’ record to 5-0.

ALPENA — The Alpena Wildcats varsity hockey team used three goals in a span of about two minutes in the first period to earn a hardfought 3-1 victory over the visiting Sparta Spartans at the Northern Lights Arena on Saturday.

The Wildcats were undefeated during the Boosters Club Early Bird Showcase at Alpena and improved their overall record to 5-0 in the young season.

The Spartans, 0-4, jumped out to an early 1-0 lead over the hometown team, as they found the back of the Alpena net at the four-minute mark of the opening period.

The Wildcats jump started its offense and battled back, as Sparta’s offense sputtered and the game was decided before the two teams left the ice at the end of the first period.

Alpena tied the score when Gavin Winterstein beat the Spartan’s netminder to knot the score at 1-1, but the Wildcats weren’t finished.

Clark Weir put Alpena in the lead 2-1 with only 54 seconds remaining in the opening period with a score that was assisted on by Trevor Worth and Sam Bastow.

Alpena wasn’t done with its first period scoring barrage, as freshman Beckham Winterstein lit the lamp with only 23 seconds remaining on the clock before intermission.

Gavin Winterstein and Bastow earned assists on the goal.

From that point on, both teams zipped up and down the ice and although there were several quality scoring chances, neither squad was able to cash in and at game’s end. The Wildcats were able to maintain their two-goal advantage until the final horn sounded and the two teams lined up to shake hands.

Alpena will now enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday, but it will soon return to the ice for its biggest challenge so far this season.

The Wildcats will battle six-time defending state champs and No. 1 ranked team in the state, Detroit Catholic Central on Friday in the Blue Line tournament during the “white out” game at Northern Lights Arena.

Saturday’s game was the polar opposite for the Wildcats from the one they played against Saginaw Heritage on Friday night, as it needed a late offensive flurry to defeat the visiting Hawks.

Alpena notched three goals in the third period to earn a 5-3 win on the night where the team watched the unveiling of its 2024-25 Final Four banner

Beckham Winterstein scored a pair of goals in the victory, while Trevor Worth, Gavin Winterstein, and Clark Weir each added a score for the Wildcats.