October 7, 2021 at 7:59 a.m.
Hodags beat Lakeland in PKs, end T-Birds' GNC perfection
Hodags beat Lakeland in PKs, end T-Birds' GNC perfection
The Hodags ended Lakeland's run at a perfect conference season, scoring three unanswered goals in the first half and playing the Thunderbirds to a 4-4 draw at IncredibleBank Field. Rhinelander then stole another conference point from Lakeland, winning a penalty kick shootout 4-2.
Rhinelander sits third in the GNC, 10 points behind Lakeland with only two matches remaining. The Hodags will not catch the T-Birds in the conference standings, but they also became the first team in conference play to so much as extend Lakeland to penalties.
"Whatever happened tonight, the boys learned how to finish again and they had a helluva game," Hodag coach Nathan Bates said. "Lakeland played strong. We played strong and, in my opinion, that was the best we played all season. If we continue that way, we're going to have a strong run in the playoffs."
Beau Howard scored twice for Rhinelander while Braden Mork and Shane Petrick each had a goal and an assist as the Hodag offense found life at the least expected time.
Rhinelander came into the contest on the heels of back-to-back shutouts, having not scored since the first half of a loss to D.C. Everest Sept. 21. Lakeland, meanwhile, had not conceded a goal through its first seven conference games.
"After not winning a couple of games, especially to Pines (a 0-0 draw Sept. 28), we had a really good game tonight, putting four goals against Lakeland," Howard said.
Yaroslav Myshchyshyn, tied for the GNC lead in goals scored entering the night, scored twice for Lakeland - including a penalty kick in the 67th minute that squared the game at 4-4. That ultimately prevented Lakeland (13-0-3, 7-0-0-1 Great Northern) from officially suffering its first loss of the season. But the Hodags had the better of it in penalties.
After struggling to convert in a shootout loss five days earlier against Northland Pines, the Hodags were 4 for 4 in Tuesday's shootout, with Mork, Charlie Heck, Tucker Frederickson and Petrick all converting from the spot, tucking shots inside the posts.
The Hodags got some breathing room when Lakeland's Tyler Tharman put one right on keeper Gavin Ostermann for a save in the second round of a five-round shootout. Rhinelander clinched the shootout when DJ Ratajczyk sent one over the crossbar in the fourth round.
"It took a lot of pressure off of me and made it more enjoyable, and we won it," Ostermann said of his teammates' ability to convert in the shootout.
"We've been practicing that all season," Bates said of the penalty kicks. "The difference was tonight, I told all of them to go out there and do what they normally do at practice. Don't take it so crucial, go up there, take a couple of deep breaths and put it away like they always do at practice."
Lakeland got on the board first, scoring in the eighth minute. Ratajczyk worked his way through a trio of Hodag defenders off a throw in, moved unabated into the box and scored to the top right corner from 12 yards.
Rhinelander responded with one of its best offensive spurts of the season.
Mork got free along the right flank in the 10th minute, made a move around a defender as he made his way inside the Lakeland 18 and finished from 15 yards to square the match. Roughly six minutes later, Mork crossed a ball to Petrick who converted from 12 yards away. Howard made it 3-1 Hodags in the 26th minute as he dispossessed a Lakeland defender roughly 40 yards from goal and cashed in on the breakaway chance.
"They worked their angles well," Bates said of his offense. "Their through ball were well and all I can say I was extremely proud."
Lakeland pulled back to within a goal in the 39th minute as Myshchyshyn was able to find the upper right corner from 40 yards out after Ostermann came out of his goal to deny a breakaway chance by Casey Van Hefty.
Bo Peterson tied it for Lakeland less than four minutes into the second half as he benefitted from a cross that grazed off a Hodag defender's head, putting him on a breakaway on the right flank. Howard restored Rhinelander's one-goal lead in the 50th minute as he got behind the defense after Petrick headed a 50-50 ball forward.
Lakeland's tying goal came with some consternation, mainly on the T-Birds' side. Myshchyshyn got behind three Hodag defenders on a run in the 67th minute and was tackled just inside Rhinelander's penalty area. Van Hefty scored in the scramble following the trip, but the officials blew the play dead to call the foul on Rhinelander and award the penalty kick. Myshchyshyn beat Ostermann to the left post to tie the game.
"He had some beautiful shots and I don't think Gavin could have done anything on them," Bates said. "Yaroslav, I would say he's the best player in the conference, without a doubt. It's scary to think he's only a sophomore. The kid is fantastic. He works. He's a classy player and it's fun to play against him."
Howard barely missed getting on a Petrick cross deep in the Lakeland box in the 73rd minute while Petrick misfired left on an open chance from 25 yards in the 77th minute. Ratajczyk put a bicycle kick on goal in the final minute, but Ostermann came up with the save to preserve the draw and send the game to a shootout.
Lakeland outshot Rhinelander 29-21 in the match and had a 16-10 advantage in shots on goal. Ostermann recorded 12 saves in regulation, and one more in the shootout as the Hodags drew for the fourth time in 14 games this season (5-5-4, 3-3-1-1 Great Northern).
"Gavin had a helluva game and made some big saves like he always does," Bates said. "I'll say it again, Gavin's the best goalie I've ever coached. He's the best in the conference."
The Hodags were set to host Mosinee Thursday night at Mike Webster Stadium in a game that concluded after deadline for today's edition. Rhinelander closes out the regular season next Thursday night at home against Antigo.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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