January 27, 2020 at 12:34 p.m.
Hodag hockey responds in third period, downs Jeffers 5-3
Hodag hockey responds in third period, downs Jeffers 5-3
Harlan Wojtusik and Leo Losch scored two goals six seconds apart for Rhinelander, which proved to be the difference in a 5-3 victory over the Jets Saturday at the Rhinelander Ice Arena.
Wojtusik's game-winner was his third goal of the game and 25th of the season. It came on a wrist shot in the slot with the game tied at the 9:43 mark of the third. Rhinelander's second line raced down the ice with the ensuing faceoff that finished with a Leo Losch tally moments later.
"I was really impressed with the third period in that we gave up a goal and then came right back and took two," Rhinelander coach M.J. Laggis said. "It was a great Harlan Wojtusik goal for a hat trick and a nice Leo Losch shot. I can't say enough about our resilience tonight. It was a really, really good thing."
Rhinelander (7-11-0, 2-5-0-0 Great Northern) never trailed in the game, but only held the lead for roughly 3 1/2 minutes through the midway point of the third period. Each Hodag goal was answered with a quick strike by the Jets, who stuck around despite being outshot 35-16 in the contest.
It was Rhinelander's second win in eight days over the Jets, going back to a 5-1 triumph Jan. 17 at the East-Merrill tournament. But for a Rhinelander team that has struggled to finish out close games as of late, Laggis called Saturday's outcome a step in the right direction.
"Being in a one-goal game in the third period and not losing 5-3 was a really nice step," he said, referencing the Hodags' 5-3 loss to Antigo earlier in the week that was tied early in the third period. "I know there are eight conference teams and we're sixth, but just look at - with very few exceptions - the games that we lost. They're one-goal games and us trying to pull the goalie and trying to score, not 7-1 routs. I want us to try to stay in close games and find a way to win."
Wojtusik's production was a big reason for the Hodags victory as he and linemates Conor Pequet and Joe Schneider continue to produce.
"I thought Harlan Wojtusik was a man amongst boys out there tonight," he said. "He has great hands, great energy up and down the ice and, I'll tell you what, you would think that would be the arrogant guy on your team. He's the most humble, willing to do whatever you need him to do at any moment (guy). If I said 'put the pads on and play goalie' that's what he would do. He's a great kid and I'm really proud of him."
Wojtusik got the Hodags on the board 15:06 into the opening period, scoring on a backhander off a Danny Zuiker pass, but the lead was short-lived as the Hodags took a penalty and Matthew Halonen scored to tie the game on the power play 48 seconds later.
Rhinelander regained the lead 9:06 into the second period as Schneider found a Pequet rebound and scored, but Jeffers was quick to answer again as Halonen scored his second of the game on an end-to-end play that led to a breakaway along the far boards at the 11:19 mark.
Schneider backhanded a pass to Wojtusik for a one-timer 7:29 into the third, but the Jets answered again as David Strom finished off a 2-on-1 chance to tie it 44 seconds later.
Sophomore Caleb Shefveland got the start in goal for Rhinelander and made 11 saves, but was lifted after surrendering the game-tying goal midway through the third. Garrett Kulhanek went the rest of the way, stopping both shots he faced to earn the win.
"One thing I told our goalies, we made a move there in the third, but we win as a team and we lose as a team," Laggis said. "Caleb Shefveland came out of that game, but he's probably one of the best kids I've ever had in the locker room. I'm not saying that for effect. I'm telling you he's just an outstanding kid. He's got great character. He's the hardest worker, weight room-wise, in terms of being there every day and diligent to it. It was just we had an opportunity to make a move, we did. Caleb held in there and did a nice job and Garrett came in and did a nice job and gave us a lift when we needed it."
Rhinelander rode out a storm late as Pequet was assessed a five-minute major for head contact. The Jets were unable to mount much of an attack on the extended man advantage and were never able to pull goalie Simon Rajala, who made 30 stops in defeat.
After the game, Laggis stressed that penalties are a serious concern. Though Rhinelander took only five in the contest, the team was assessed two five-minute majors for aggressive hits.
"I think in the first period we took nine minutes of penalties and, needless to say, that was one of the more robust talks we've had in the locker room all year long," he said. "I'm up to me ears with penalties. We work hard on it. It's a talking point. It's a teaching point at practice. We watch a lot of video on ourselves and we've got to be better than that. Penalties are going to happen, but we can't rack up nine (minutes) in a period and win against a solid hockey team."
Rhinelander travels to Ashland tonight to take on the Oredockers. Faceoff is set 6:30 p.m. at the Bay Area Civic Center.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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