In Tuesday’s 4-0 win over Houghton, Senior Goalie Alex Studebaker set the Calumet High School hockey shutout record with his 11th career shutout.

Studebaker, who’s had a sparkling football career with numerous All-UP and all-conference recognition, made 22 saves against the Gremlins in the record-setting win. It was his fourth shutout in five games.

“It feels great. I’m just so happy to play with such a good team,” Studebaker said. “I just couldn’t have done it without them. I can’t even describe it.”

The record was previously set by Jon Giachino in 1992. His brother Dan Giachino, coach of the Copper Kings, said Studebaker has been a mainstay in goal for his team.

“He’s locked in right now and making the saves look easy,” Coach Giachino said. “As coaches we hope that continues right into February and March that he plays at that level. We’re happy for him. It’s a big record for him to get. We’ve had a lot of goaltenders come through the program. To get that record is a big deal.”

Studebaker said the rest of the team has given great support by not only limiting shots, but also high-quality scoring chances.

“We just play a great defensive zone this year,” Studebaker said. “They just make it so all the shots are outside of what we call the house. That just makes it so it’s easy for me to track and easy for me to save and get settled in so where I have to make a good save, it’s not that bad.”

On Tuesday, Calumet’s defense spread Houghton’s attack thin, and the Gremlins’ offense managed eight shots in the first period, nine in the second and five in the third.

The Copper Kings kept the pressure on Houghton by using efficient defense to generate puck possession. Calumet pressured Houghton along the boards, forcing turnovers and quickly breaking the puck out of the zone.

Calumet got a spark on the night with two goals from Tanner Rowe, who opened the scoring with a breakaway goal with six seconds left in the first period. Nick Djerf assisted.

Two minutes into the second, the Copper Kings struck again with a tip-in.

“From that point, we just didn’t create enough offense to get back in the game,” Houghton head coach Corey Markham said. “Credit to them, they deserved the win and we gotta keep working and get better.”

Rowe scored Calumet’s final goal about halfway through the third.

Jackson Rilei and Scott Loukus scored Calumet’s other goals, both in the second period.

Jimmy Pietila made 25 saves for Houghton.

“I thought we played OK in spurts. I thought we had a real slow start,” Markham said. “Calumet was in our zone for the majority of the period, probably the first 12 minutes. I thought we finished strong. We were really getting our legs. We had a power-play and a few opportunities. But they got a bounce and then their top player ends up with a breakaway and scores with six seconds left in the period. It was a back-breaker.”

Houghton 0 0 0 — 0

Calumet 1 2 1 — 4

First Period–1, Cal, T. Rowe (Djerf), 16:54 (sh). Penalties–Hou, Erva (hooking), 7:49. Cal, Beiring (interference), 14:56.

Second Period–2, Cal, Rilei (Beiring), 2:23. 3, Cal, S. Loukus (D. Loukus), 10:15. Penalties–Hou, Farrell (tripping), 7:55.

Third Period–4, Cal, T. Rowe (Coppo, Mattila), 8:44. Penalties–Hou, Choi (hooking), 11:17. Cal, Djerf (roughing), 13:45. Cal, Beiring (interference), 16:07.

Shots on Goal–Hou 8-9-5. Cal 11-10-8–29

Power-play Opportunities–Hou 0 of 3; Cal 0 of 3.

Goalies–Hou, Pietila 10-8-7–25 saves. Cal, Studebaker 8-9-5–22.