Sports photo by Steve Jakubcin Alpena Wildcats’ goalie Parker Shuldt watches the action down the ice as he waits for his chance to block some shots. Shuldt led the Wildcats to a 4-0 shutout on Friday over the Petoskey Northmen. Alpena begins their playoff run on Friday in Traverse City.

ALPENA – The Alpena Wildcats hockey team secured another Big North Conference championship after defeating the Petoskey Northmen 4-0 in front of a packed house on Senior Night at the Northern Lights Area on Friday.

Alpena Head Coach Ben Henry said his team continues to improve and is ready for a playoff run that has become commonplace each season.

With playoff hockey around the corner, Henry likes the way his team is playing and hopes they can maintain their current momentum in pursuit of another long playoff run.

“I feel like we’re getting better every game,” Henry said. “We have a lot of talent; however, we need to match everyone else’s talent with work ethic, playing fast,t and playing simple hockey. We must stay disciplined, play smart, work together, and understand we have a special group. We just need to get the job done.”

Senior Clark Weir was the star of the night for Alpena. He scored two goals to lead the offense that didn’t need much because of the solid defense and goalie play by the Wildcats’ Parker Shuldt.

The first period of action would go by without any scoring although each team had their opportunities. Outstanding goalkeeping on both ends of the ice kept the puck out of the net, but Alpena would strike in the first few minutes in the second period.

Trey Adrian sent the puck across the ice to Ethan Walker, who fired a shot on net that was blocked by the Northmen goalie; however, Isacc Bluemle was in the right spot at the right time to clean up the rebound and get the Wildcats on the board first and a 1-0 lead.

With just under six minutes left in the second period, Alpena would strike again. Weir connected on his first goal of the night with a tremendous shot from the right wing, taking advantage of a power play opportunity. Walker was credited with the assist, along with Beckham Winterstein.

Weir wasn’t done yet as he extended the Wildcats’ lead with an extraordinary shot that zoomed over the Petoskey goalies’ right shoulder and into the back of the net. The crowd inside Northern Lights Arena went wild as Alpena took a commanding 3-0 lead.

Trevor Worth would add one more goal for Alpena to cap off a dominant performance as the Wildcats get ready for playoff hockey.

Alpena Head Coach Ben Henry summed up his team’s effort in the final home game of the regular season.

“I thought we had a little of a slow start, but played a heavy game, a lot of hitting, and I thought Parker was very sharp all night,” Henry said. “After the first, we picked up the pace, we played fast and got to the net.”

Henry also praised Weir’s performance.

“Clark is a phenomenal player, plays a heavy game with an amazing shot,” he said. ” One of the best shots I’ve ever seen out of a high school kid. He truly is a special player to watch.”

The Wildcats begin their playoffs on Friday in the Division No. 2 Region 11 Semi Final game at the Centre Ice Arena Traverse City Davids Rink in Traverse City at 6 p.m.

Alpena’s opponent has yet to be determined.