Leonhardt’s two goals too much for Eagles co-op

The Northland Pines girls’ hockey co-op was unable to complete a season sweep of the Medford Raiders Tuesday night. Zayleah Leonhardt scored twice, including the game-winner with 2:56 remaining in regulation, as the Eagles fell to the Raiders 3-2 at the Simek Center in Medford.

Leonhardt and Victoria Konieczny each had three-point nights for the Raiders, who overcame a 2-1 deficit early in the second period. 

Leonhardt opened the scoring for the Raiders 2:20 into the opening period before the Eagles answered on a goal by Northland Pines sophomore Avery Renkes at the 12:41 to tie the game after one period. 

The Eagles took the lead on the power play 2:08 into the second as the Northland Pines junior scored off assists from Antigo freshman Larken Paff and Northland Pines sophomore Lilly Beitler. 

Konieczny tied it for the Raiders on a goal with 26 seconds remaining in the second period. 

Medford outshot the Eagles 37-25 in the contest. Northland Pines freshman Lucy Nowak stopped 34 shots in defeat —which was the third one-goal loss of the year for the co-op. 

The Eagles (3-11-0) had won the prior two meetings with the Raiders, defeating them 4-3 in overtime in Eagle River Nov. 26 and 7-4 in Medford Dec. 17. 

The co-op includes skaters from six different schools, including Rhinelander. Four Rhinelander skaters suited up for the contest — Emalee Detienne, Reese Retallick, Mia Tulowitzky and backup goalie Jalyn Zadnik. The co-op is scheduled to play one game in Rhinelander this year, as a Dec. 19 game against Fox Cities that was postponed due to inclement weather has been rescheduled for Monday, Feb. 3 at the Rhinelander Ice Arena.

The Eagles hit the road for a pair of games down in the southern part of the state this weekend, facing the Cap City Cougars in Sun Prairie tonight and the Badger Lightning in Baraboo tomorrow afternoon.