Houghton beats Riverview Gabriel Richard in first D3 state semifinal (with photos)

By @MichaelCaples –

PLYMOUTH – The Gremlins scored early, and they scored often.

In the first of the two MHSAA Division 3 state semifinals at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth Friday, Houghton cruised to a 8-0 mercy over Riverview Gabriel Richard.

It was 7-0 before the end of the second period; Houghton wrapped up the mercy 1:37 into the final frame.

Seth Francois, Niko Rajala, Kevin Bostwick, Tucker Tapani, Brad Gauthier, Brendan Erickson, PJ Donnelly and Jiseung Choi all scored for the Gremlins in their state championship game-clinching win.

They will now wait for the winner of Detroit Country Day and East Grand Rapids to find out who they will face in Saturday’s D3 state championship game. The second state semifinal will begin at 1:30 p.m.

With the victory, Corey Markham’s club improves to 23-5-1 on the season. Gabriel Richard moves to 17-12-1 in the conclusion to their 2018-19 season.