February 11, 2019 at 1:43 p.m.
Hodag hockey beats Lakeland, gets ready for playoffs
Hodag hockey beats Lakeland, gets ready for playoffs
Max Spaulding scored twice, including an empty-netter in the final seconds, as the Hodags defeated the Thunderbirds 4-1 at the Lakeland Ice Arena.
The loss avenged an overtime defeat to the T-Birds back on Jan. 8 and snapped a three-game losing streak for the Hodags in front of tonight's WIAA playoff opener against Wausau East/Merrill.
"We really played well and I was really pleased with the attitude in the locker room. It was just outstanding," coach M.J. Laggis said. "We've got to carry momentum into a playoff game next week."
The first 25 1/2 minutes of Friday's game were reminiscent of the Hodags' 3-2 loss to the T-Birds during GNC play. Rhinelander had trouble getting pucks past Lakeland sophomore goalie Collin Guelcher and Lakeland took the lead 2:56 into the second period on a goal by Joe Beda.
Spaulding righted the ship with a goal 8:38 into the second and it was all Rhinelander from there.
"When they scored and went up 1-0, you had that feeling, 'Here we go again,' but we really just kind of turned the corner," Laggis said.
Laggis said Spaulding's goal, a tracer off a pass from linemate Jake Losch was a turning point in the game.
"It was a heck of a shot, about a foot, two feet, off the ice and just beat him low blocker," he said. "That gave us a huge lift."
Freddy Wisner scored on the power play less than two minutes later to give Rhinelander the lead for good. Another senior, Bridger Flory, cashed in on the power play at the 10:25 mark of the third before Spaulding found an empty net with a second left on the clock.
"Just a fantastic power play goal, Harlan to Hunter Hicks to Bridger, and Bridger buried it home. It was just beautiful passing," Laggis said.
The Hodags seemed to regain some of the mojo it had lost on special teams during its three-game slide. Rhinelander converted on both of its power play chances in the contest and - more importantly after going only 6 for 15 on the penalty kill in its previous three games - thwarted off all three of Lakeland's power play chances.
Rhinelander outshot Lakeland 31-21 in the contest. Seth Stafford made 20 saves in the victory for Rhinelander.
"Seth Stafford played really well tonight, only giving up one, and the other thing was he was just a positive force in the locker room," Laggis noted. "That was awesome."
Playoffs ahead
Rhinelander finished the regular season 14-8-0 and now turns its attention to the playoffs as it will face East/Merrill tonight at the Rhinelander Ice Arena.
The Bluejacks were only 3-15-0 on the season ahead of a Wisconsin Valley Conference make-up game against Wisconsin Rapids Monday night.
Rhinelander defeated East/Merrill 3-2 in Merrill Jan. 19 for the championship of the Bluejack tournament. Hunter Hicks scored twice in that game for the Hodags, who played that contest without leading scorer Abe Laggis (shoulder). The teams were scheduled to play again last Tuesday in Rhinelander, but the non-conference game was canceled due to heavy snow.
"The first time that we play them every year, we've always have to try to find our way. I definitely know how we need to play against them," M.J. Laggis said. "We're going to have a really good game plan against them and it's a matter of going out and executing, getting the job done and going from there. We know we need to attack the net on them. We need a lot of shots on net, generate rebounds and look back door. I think we can generate a lot of pressure and have a lot of success."
Tuesday's game is just the entree into what, at the top, may be the most difficult sectional in the state.
Wausau West, Northland Pines and Stevens Point - ranked third, first and fifth, respectively, in the last week's Wisconsin Prep Hockey coaches' poll - make up the top three seeds in the bracket.
"I don't know if it gets much better," coach Laggis said of the competition at the top of the sectional. I think Pines and West together are like 14-1 or something against top 10 in the state. They're constantly playing that competition. They're really, really good, no doubt about it."
The winner of tonight's Rhinelander-East/Merrill game will travel to K.B. Willett Arena to take on Stevens Point at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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