WELLS — Kingsford led twice against Escanaba in an MHSAA Division 3 regional semifinal Saturday afternoon at the Hannahville Ice & Turf Complex, but couldn’t hold on for an upset.

Junior Graham Johnson broke a 2-2 tie early in the third period and wound up with a hat trick, as the host Eskymos went on to a 5-2 victory to end Kingsford’s season and advance to the regional championship against Sault Ste. Marie Tuesday.

The Blue Devils destroyed Negaunee 10-2 in the other semifinal matchup Saturday.

Kingsford ended its campaign at 10-14-2. After suffering a 2-6 start to the season which included a miserable five-game skid, the Flivvers played .500 hockey their final 10 regular season games.

“When you put that much work in it’s difficult and emotional when your season comes to an end,” Flivvers head coach Greg Wadge said. “I am very proud of everyone on the team for the work they put in and the significant improvements we made as a team. It was an honor to coach them and spend time with them and watch them grow as players and young men.”

It was Escanaba that dished out one of the Flivvers’ worst losses in recent memory on opening night with a 9-0 mercy-rule slaughter. Kingsford played much better in the second meeting between the teams, a 4-1 loss at Esky on Jan. 14.

On Saturday in the third meeting of the season between the squads, Kingsford scored first and led again at 2-1, but Escanaba (16-10-0) junior netminder Cully Hayes locked out the Flivvers from there.

Senior captain Gavin Moore fired from up high and a deflection off the stick of senior Jaxon Buckley staked the Flivvers to a 1-0 first period lead. Escanaba evened things up before the period ended with a goal by junior Nolan Bink.

Sophomore Jack Spreen put the Flivvers back in front in the second period with a tough angle shot from the goalline that bounced off the back of Hayes.

But the lead only lasted eight seconds, as junior Ben Sands went in unassisted after the ensuing faceoff to knot the game 2-2.

Johnson, Esky’s captain and leading scorer, busted the stalemate just 1:29 into the third, ripping one past junior goalie Nate Scullon.

Scullon, who showed steady improvement in his game as the season progressed, had 25 saves in the loss. Kingsford held a 26-25 advantage in shots in the game.

The game stayed 3-2 until the final minute when Johnson added another with 53 seconds to play.

He completed his hat trick with an empty netter with four seconds remaining.

The Flivvers had six power play chances, converting just once.

Escanaba didn’t receive a single power play until the final minutes of regulation.

While they didn’t score, it succeeded in sucking up two valuable minutes off the clock late as the Flivvers were desperately attempting to even the score.

Senior Jake Crockford and sophomore Seth Greenleaf had assists for Kingsford.

The Flivvers lose six seniors heading into next season with the graduation of Moore, Buckley, Crockford, Cooper Pigeon, Jack Supanich and Evan Moyer.

“Our team was a great group of young men who worked very hard at every practice, rarely missed, including some who never missed,” Wadge said.

“I’d also like to thank the coaches for all of their help this season, Coach Weber, coach Murvich, coach Moore, coach Pepin and coach Junttila. I am very blessed to have them coaching this team with me.

“And lastly to the parents who have done an amazing job raising these young men, they work hard, they are polite and respectful and they are great teammates. They are a pleasure to coach and be around.”