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.

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.

At Fraser Hockeyland, Ken Winter’s hat trick led the Fighting Irish past the Monarchs 6-3, evening their series at one game apiece.

Shawn Eastman added a goal and an assist and Eric Long and Steven Sewell also scored as Kory Dombrowski picked up the win in goal for Detroit making 33 saves

For the Monarchs, Adam Jonak had a goal plus a helper and Tory Shand and Bryce Peplinski scored the others.

Motor City goalies Tyler Skulley and Collin Fritch shared time in goal and combined for 28 stops.

The deciding Game 3 is Sunday at Fraser Hockeyland at 2:40 p.m.

Photo/Rich Meuser