One MWJHL playoff semifinal Friday night was a nail-biter, while the other one proved to be a blowout.

The Traverse City Hounds and Motor City Monarchs each won their Game 1s with a chance to sweep Saturday night on home ice.

At Centre ICE, Patrick Rogowski (pictured) scored two goals and MWJHL Goaltender of the Year David Krejcik stopped all 26 shots he faced as the Traverse City Hounds blanked the Soo Firehawks 6-0.

Scott Luca and Cam Fisher each tallied a goal and an assist and Kevin Cole and Zak Pipers added one goal each for the Hounds.

Cam Givens tacked on two assists as well.

Soo goalies Cody Call and Mackenzie Bruce combined to make 29 saves.

Game 2 is Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Centre ICE.

Finishing out the evening, MWJHL Rookie of the Year Trevor Pode completed his hat trick at 9:53 of the third period and that goal proved to be the game-winner as the Motor City Monarchs beat the Detroit Fighting Irish 5-4 at Jack Adams Ice Arena.

Joe Gibbs and Anthony Wojciechowski added goals for the Monarchs and Midland College-bound Trevor Hillman chipped in a pair of assists.

Monarchs’ goalie Tyler Skulley finished with 20 saves.

MWJHL Forward of the Year Ken Winter led the Irish with a goal and two assists, while Shawn Eastman went for a goal and an assist and Chuck Hicks and Aaron Robinson also scored.

Kory Dombrowski stopped 35 shots between the pipes for Detroit.

The series moves to Fraser Hockeyland for Game 2 Saturday at 3:10 p.m.

Photo/Rich Meuser