Starter Alex Potter blanked Rochester for seven innings before the Huskies won 3-1 to split their Northwoods doubleheader. Photo by John Gilbert.

As a hockey player, Mike Antonovich had no fear. That includes being a 115-pound center as a sophomore for Greenway of Coleraine, who proved to be the best player in the 1967 state hockey tournament as he led the Raiders to two straight championships, or leading the University of Minnesota to the 1971 NCAA Frozen Four, where they lost to Boston University in the championship game. When he signed with the Minnesota Fighting Saints out of college, Antonovich wasn’t even fazed by facing the likes of legends Bobby Hull or Gordie Howe, or the gang of World Hockey Association muggers and villains who seemed eager to splatter him this pint-sized center. In fact, he was fearless when he and his wife, Sandy, returned home and he ran for mayor — and won — in Coleraine. But last week, while working out at home, he felt the icy grip of fear when chest pains suddenly struck him, causing him to spend a whirlwind day that included his first helicopter ride followed by heart surgery at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. His wife, Sandy, returned from some errands to find him in distress and called to the Grand Rapids hospital to alert them they were coming. “She ‘Mario Andrettied’ me to Grand Rapids, and they immediately put me in a helicopter for a ride to St. Luke’s,” Antonovich said. “They had me strapped down so tight I couldn’t move, but that was probably a good thing because I get claustrophobia. “I always thought I was invincible, but it was the first time I’ve been scared in a long time,” he added. “They found a blockage in an artery above my main artery and they put a stent in it. They said there was no damage done, and I have to say I instantly felt better — no aches anywhere.” Antonovich started cardio rehab Monday, and he said he intends to follow all the instructions carefully. “I went for a walk around the golf course,” he said, “and I was really thankful I could look up and appreciate all the trees. It’s funny how you can suddenly appreciate all the things you’ve taken for granted all your life.” Antonovich is still in contact with some of his old Greenway teammates, like Mick Metzer and Tom Peluso, and he said he had a nice visit with his old coach, Bob Gernander, who was the master tactician who pulled the players from several different area towns into the cohesive unit that was state championship material. They were one of the most exciting teams to ever play high school hockey, starting with their first tournament in the old, smoky St. Paul Auditorium, then moving to Met Center to win again while the St. Paul Civic Center was being built. The only team more fun to watch and proving to be better on the ice, were the Duluth Cathedral teams that won five straight state Catholic/Independent tournaments, and also beat all the public school powers they could schedule. Those Hilltoppers are facing some tough times right now, because of the tragic auto accident death of Steve (Pokey) Trachsel and his wife, Cathie, in a dust storm on a highway that runs north along the border of Arizona, where the Trachsels had a winter home, and California. They were on their way to Palm Springs, Calif., to meet two of their three daughters for Mother’s Day when they slowed down during a dust storm when a following semi didn’t slow down and sent them crashing into another semi up ahead. Pokey was a an often spectacular sophomore defenseman on the team I called the best to ever play in Minnesota. Phil Hoene centered Larry Trachsel and Dan Sivertson on the first line, Kevin Hoene centered Tommy Paul and Tom Cartier on the second line, and Mike Randolph was a freshman center on the third line, Gary Milich and Tom Hanson on his wings, while Pokey saw five minutes on defense and had the hardest shot any of his teammates had ever seen. “When Pokey wound up for a slap shot, everybody on both teams cleared the way,” recalled Randolph. “Nobody wanted to screen for tips because nobody wanted to risk getting hit with that shot.” Kevin Hoene played at Notre Dame after Cathedral and came back to join Randolph as assistant coaches at St. Scholastica’s fledgling program. Kevin later became head coach and athletic director and made his home in Duluth. He had an assortment of health problems, including a bout with cancer and some heart issues, and nerve ailments in his legs that limited his mobility. With faltering health, he spent his most recent time in hospice care at Diamond Willow. A service is scheduled for Thursday of this week at 11 a.m. at Holy Rosary, 28th Av. E. and 4th St.. The celebration of life for Pokey and Cathie Trachsel will be Thursday, July 13, at 2 p.m. at Essentia Heritage Center/Clyde Iron. Huskies fight for lead The best thing about the Northwoods college baseball league is that it provides exciting and unpredictable baseball without the overriding pressure of normal minor-league ball, or even college or high school baseball. The Duluth Huskies are a perfect example, battling for first place in a crazy and changeable first half. The Huskies lost 8-5 to the Rochester Honkers last week in the noon half of a day-night doubleheader, then came back to win 3-1 in the night game to split the pair. That left both the Huskies and Honkers virtually tied for first place, but allowed Thunder Bay to sneak in and take first place by percentage points. The Huskies spent the first game of the doubleheader battling to overcome an early deficit that they never quite managed to pull off, but then won a superbly played nightcap as Alex Potter dueled Daniel Willie through seven scoreless innings. Williams gave up six hits and struck out seven in six innings, while Potter fired a three-hitter through seven innings, striking out five. The Honkers gained a 1-0 lead in the eighth, but after Rochester reliever Jacob Boesse walked two and hit a batter to load the bases, Caleb Corbin cleared the bases with a triple to left-center of spacious Wade Stadium. Austin Humphries struck out the side in the ninth to preserve the 3-1 victory. The Huskies are a hearty hitting outfit, but the No. 9 hitter in the lineup is shortstop Hasani Johnson, who made two sparking plays in the field, along with several routine ones, to highlight the night at the ballpark. On his best play, Johnson dashed to his left and speared a ground bali up the middle, letting his momentum carry him to a 360-degree spin near the outfield grass that left him coming out of the pirouette to fire a strike to first base and nullify a threat. Johnson might be a better hitter than he’s gotten credit for so far, but if you like to watch Carlos Correa play shortstop for the Twins, Johnson’s play at short is worth the price of admission.