January 25, 2021 at 8:25 a.m.
Northern Edge drops two more to large co-ops
Northern Edge drops two more to large co-ops
The Rhinelander/Antigo/Lakeland co-op has dropped seven straight games overall, including six straight since returning to action from a COVID-19 pause Jan. 11.
"I'll give the girls credit. They've had a rough run the last six, seven games," coach Tom Roeser said. "No games this week until Saturday, this week is going to be good for us. We're going to get a little break, get some practice time in, go back over the basics. We need to get girls healthy."
Fox Cities 11, Northern Edge 1
The Stars were too much for the Edge to handle Friday night in Rhinelander.
The Stars top line of Grace Rentmeester, McKayla Zilisch and Gwen Gillard had a big night, combining for 14 points and nine of Fox Cities' goals.
"They're fast and they could play hockey. We battled but they're No. 1 for a reason, that's for sure," Roeser said.
Both Rentmeester and Zilisch each had hat tricks in the first period for Fox Cities. Rentmeester scored twice in the first 5:29 of the game to give the Stars a 2-0 lead. Zilisch scored three times in the final 6:05 of the period and Rentmeester added another goal to make it 6-1 Fox Cities after a period.
Zilisch added a pair of power play goals later in the game to finish off a five-goal night. Gillard, Evelyn Jelinek and Zoey Van Zeeland also scored as the Stars outshot the Edge 35-13.
"They moved so well in the offensive zone, I really had trouble coaching our D-zone coverage," Roeser said. "I thought the only way to keep them out of the slot and the scoring area was switching up to a box-and-1, just to keep them out of the middle. They moved the puck so well and moved their feet so well, they could really draw you out of position."
Evie LeVeque had the lone goal for the Edge, scoring in the first period on a rebound off a Kate Vizanko shot.
"That was a really beautiful goal," Roeser noted. "Kate had the shot, Evie had the rebound and they were playing strong in front of that net and they did not stop until they put that puck home."
Bay Area 9, Northern Edge 1
Things did not go much better for the Edge Saturday as the fell 9-1 to the Green Bay Area co-op in Ashwaubenon.
The Ice Bears scored three times in each of the three period. Jordan Brady had a natural hat trick for Bay Area, scoring all three goals in the first period. Ella Chilson scored five of the Ice Bears' remaining six goals.
"They were nothing like Xavier, but we made them look like the New York Rangers though," Roeser said, noting that eight of the Ice Bears 29 shots came within five feet of the goal. "We're not taking care of stuff down low. Kind of like a broken record. We're not physical enough."
Lakeland senior Izzy Boyer, playing back at defense with both Emily Kassler and Maria Gironella scratched from the lineup, recorded the Edge's lone goal on a power play with 2:48 remaining in the contest. Boyer's usual linemate - Callie Johnson and Vizanko - were credited with the assists.
"With Emily out, we moved her back. She does a pretty good job back there. We like her back there, but we also need some scoring pop," Roeser said of Boyer. "It was a good, hard-working goal - good shot, good rebound and just kept working down in front. We had a couple opportunities like that. Shots weren't totally crazy in that game where they killed us too bad. We left some rebounds out there."
The Edge recorded 21 shots on goal in defeat.
Up next
The Edge (3-10-0) travels the Baraboo-area Badger Lightning co-op on Saturday, looking to sweep the season series. The Edge recorded a 3-2 victory over the Lighting Dec. 12 in Rhinelander.
A trip to Northland Pines next Monday for the Edge will conclude the regular season before WIAA tournament play begins next Thursday or Friday.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.