Pines girls’ hockey co-op drops second game of the season

One period made all the difference in the Northland Pines girls’ hockey co-op’s 5-1 loss to the Cap City (Sun Prairie West co-op) Cougars on Friday, Dec. 5 in Rhinelander.

The Cougars scored four times in the third period to outlast the co-op that includes Northland Pines, Lakeland Union, Rhinelander, Three Lakes, Antigo, Hurley and Norway (Mich.) high schools.

The Northland Pines co-op couldn’t stay out of the penalty box. They totaled eight penalties for 19 minutes. Cap City took advantage with two power play goals in the third period, the first of them the game-winning goal 84 seconds in from Paige Nowinski.

“The game started off well,” Northland Pines co-op coach Jeff Stebbeds said. “We just couldn’t stay out of the penalty box.”

Cap City outshot the Northland Pines co-op 37-22, including a 29-14 advantage in the second and third periods. 

“In the third we simply gassed out from putting ourselves shorthanded non-stop,” Stebbeds said. “The team did improve from the first game of the season. However, we were our own worst enemy (on Friday).”

After a scoreless first period, Lilly Tomlanovich put the Northland Pines co-op out in front. She scored unassisted 1 minute, 26 seconds into the second period. 

“We have been battling injuries with five starters out of (Friday night’s) game,” Stebbeds said. “Hopefully they can start healing up and start returning soon.”

The Cougars got five goals from five different players. Addy Swenson tied the game at 1-1 in the second period. Miley Gross got the assist.

Other goals from Cap City came from Rachel Olm, Penelope Loeffelholz and Abby Godfrey. Nowinski and Swenson totaled two points each.

Northland Pines co-op goalie Lucy Nowak made 32 saves in the contest.

Cap City goalie Sofia Martinelli allowed just one goal on 22 chances.

The Northland Pines co-op’s Wisconsin Valley Conference opener game against Central Wisconsin, slated to take place on Tuesday, Dec. 9 in Wausau, was postponed and has been rescheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18.

Up next, Northland Pines co-op (0-2) is set to take on Beaver Dam on the road tonight. The puck drops at 7 p.m.

Brett LaBore may be reached at [email protected] or [email protected].