Hockey: Markkanen wins gold at Can-AM games

In one photo, Willmar police officer Mike Markkanen rejects a point blank salvo by Jayson Dardis in an 11-0 loss to the Lake Superior Lawmen at the Can-Am Games June 27-29 at the MAC in St. Cloud.

After going 0-3 in pool play, St. Cloud White came back to win twice in the Tier II Medal Round of the Police/Fire Games. SC White beat St. Cloud Gold 4-3 and the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton Rangers 4-1 for the gold medal.

Winnipeg Fire won Tier I gold.

Markkanen, an Iron Ranger originally, said the tournament is the highlight of his 45 years playing goalie. The St. Cloud teams were comprised mainly of peace officers and firefighters from Stearns and Benton counties.