TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – The Traverse City Hounds are back in familiar territory – defending the Veteran’s Memorial Cup on home ice.

After a 3-1 win over the Soo Firehawks Saturday night at Centre ICE, the top-seed Hounds will open the MWJHL finals on Friday night against the winner of Sunday’s Detroit Fighting Irish-Motor City Monarchs semifinal Game 3.

“Tonight was a great game to watch for the fans,” Traverse City head coach Jacek Wilk said. “The Soo came out to play tonight, they fought for every puck. We had a lot of chances and were able to win tonight. We are excited to play next week against whoever it may be.”

Scott Luca’s power-play goal at 14:34 of the third period snapped a 1-1 tie and Kevin Hansen added an empty-netter late to seal the win.

Kevin Cole scored a first-period goal for the Hounds and goaltender David Krejcik finished with 32 saves.

Anthony Laaksonen tallied the Firehawks’ lone goal and Mackenzie Bruce made 38 stops in the Soo crease.

Game 1 of the finals is Friday at 8 p.m., with Game 2 Saturday night at 7 p.m. and if necessary, Game 3 is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m.

Traverse City won the championship in 2014 in a deciding Game 3 over the Firehawks and playing as the Hartland Hounds in 2013, swept Tennyson Chevrolet in two straight games.

Photo/Rich Meuser