David Archambeau/For the Gazette Portage Lake defenseman Matt Marchel (19) helps defend the Pioneers’ net along with goaltender Brian Brzezinski during a game against Eagle River Saturday at Dee Stadium in Houghton.

HOUGHTON — With wins over the Sun Prairie Killer Bees Friday, and the Eagle River Falcons Saturday, both at Dee Stadium, the Portage Lake Pioneers held on to the top spot in the Great Lakes Hockey League standings with 21 points.

The Pioneers improved to 10-1-0-1 on the season, one point better than the Fond du Lac Bears.

PIONEERS 8,

FALCONS 5

Saturday, the Pioneers scored the game’s first two goals, then surrendered four in a row. Portage Lake then stormed back, scoring five straight before adding one more in the final second to seal the win over the Falcons, 8-5.

Alec Broetzman scored three goals in the game, striking first 8:01 into the game. mHis second and third tallies came 3:02 apart in the final frame at 8:49 and 11:51.

Charlie Turner scored the second Pioneers goal at 10:05 of the first period before the Falcons caught fire, scoring three times in the first period and adding one more in the second to take a 4-2 lead into the third.

Spencer Donnelly pulled the Pioneers back within one at 2:34, and then Broetzman scored twice to put Portage Lake up by one, 5-4.

Zach Hill extended the lead at 16:29, and Jack Fenton then scored with 2:04 left to give Portage Lake a three-goal cushion at 7-4.

After Todd Koritzinsky scored his hat trick tally to pull the Falcons back within two, Dominick Nettell put one more in for the Pioneers just before time expired.

Pioneers goaltender A.J. Petrulis made 36 saves to earn the win. Mike Madosh stopped 44 Pioneers shots.

PIONEERS 17,

KILLER BEES 2

The Pioneers dominated from start to finish in a 17-2 victory over the Killer Bees on Friday night.

Portage Lake set the tone early, scoring seven first-period goals, and outshooting Sun Prairie 25-5 in the opening frame.

The Pioneers continued their offensive onslaught in the second, adding eight more goals before easing off in the third.

Brett Hauswirth led the charge with three goals and five assists, while Nick Harris also posted an eight-point night with two goals and six assists.

Sun Prairie’s Trevor Knight and Wyatt Kniper found the back of the net, but the Killer Bees were overwhelmed by Portage Lake’s relentless attack, being outshot 67-17.

Pioneers goaltender Brian Brzezinski stopped 15 of 17 shots for the win, while Sun Prairie’s goaltending tandem of Heath Bear and Davis Nunnally faced a barrage of shots throughout the game.