Marquette, Soo Play Hockey Outside...for 3:37

The first-ever Upper Peninsula high school hockey game played oudoors came to a premature end Saturday as 40-degree temperatures put a halt to the Marquette vs Sault Ste. Marie game just 3:37 into the game in the Soo.

Ice conditions made it impossible to continue, and the game, which was won by Marquette, 6-2, was finished in Pullar Stadium after about an hour delay. No goals were scored in the 3:37 outside. Once in the Pullar, Eric Rizzio scored two goals to lead the Redmen to victory. Jake Robinson, Nick Weston and Cody Nordquist also scored for the Redmen (18-3-1), who clinched the Great Northern Conference title.

For the Soo (15-7-0), Kyle Reattoir and Brad Smith scored goals, and goaltender Cody Jodoin stopped 34 Redmen shots. Mike McAuliffe won in net for Marquette.  

Pictured above: Marquette goalie Mike McAuliffe sports the shades as the teams shake hands when officials suspended the game. Pictured below: Marquette captain Eric Rizzio (27) and the Soo's Denver Pierce (6) play the game.

Bottom photos: The Marquette Redmen line up for the national anthem and intros....the teams' captains pose with the event sponsors....and the players shake hands again. (All photos are courtesy of LeeAnn Kroncich).