Pines girls’ hockey co-op scores season-high nine goals

The Northland Pines girls’ hockey co-op split a pair of games to conclude the regular season.

The Hayward co-op defeated Northland Pines 2-0 on Thursday in Eagle River. Then, the Eagles beat Viroqua 9-1 on the road on Saturday.

Hayward 2, Northland Pines 0

For the second time in the last three games, Northland Pines — comprised of skaters from Northland Pines, Rhinelander, Lakeland, Antigo, Three Lakes, Hurley and Norway (Mich.) high schools — was shut out.

“(Hayward) ended up being the No. 3 seed for our sectional,” coach Jeff Stebbeds said. “They have a solid team, and again we gave them a good game. We lost 2-0, but next year with this young team having experience, I think we will be getting some big upsets throughout the year.”

It was the first time all season the Eagles were shut out in Eagle River. Hayward has a record of 11-11-2, 3-1-0 Independent.

“So the No. 1 seed in our sectional (Central Wisconsin) only beat us 3-1 in both games this year, and the No. 3 seed only beat us 2-0.”

Northland Pines 9, Viroqua 1

The Eagles (6-13-2, 2-7-0 Wis. Valley) scored a season-high nine goals in their final game of the regular season. Saturday’s game officially went down as a comeback victory as Northland Pines scored nine unanswered goals after trailing 1-0 to begin the game.

“The win over Viroqua is important for us to end the regular season with a win,” Stebbeds said. “We have been playing teams very competitively, but just coming up short.”

Lindsey Blatner and Lilly Tomlanovich led the way with two goals each for Northland Pines. Blatner’s two goals were the first in her high school career, both coming in the third period.

“Everyone was very happy for (Blatner),” Stebbeds said.

Ayla Shepherdson led the Eagles with four points. She scored a goal and assisted three others. 

Ally Fuller had the second-most Northland Pines point with a goal and two assists.

Northland Pines scored four goals each in the second and third periods and outshot the Blackhawks (1-21-0, 0-12 Badger) 40-15.

“We played well (Saturday) because everyone played their positions and trusted that their teammates would do theirs,” Stebbeds said. “This leads to less running around on the ice.”

Other goals from Northland Pines came from Mya and Avery Renkes and Bella Nowak. For Mya Renkes, her goal was short-handed and put Northland Pines up 3-1 in the second period.

After allowing a goal 57 seconds into the contest, Lucy Nowak settled down and didn’t allow any more pucks in the back of the net. Altogether she made 14 saves on 15 shots on goal, a percentage of .933, in 46 minutes, 32 seconds of ice time.

Bella Nowak also had an assist and totaled two points. Lexi Veriha tallied two assists for two points. Lilly Beitler contributed one point on an assist for the Eagles.

Viroqua’s goal came courtesy of Grace Johnson, assisted by Mattea Nelson.

Up next, the fifth-seeded Northland Pines co-op travels to Stevens Point to take on fourth-seeded Wisconsin Valley Union in a WIAA regional final on Thursday, Feb. 19. The puck drops at 5 p.m.

Wisconsin Valley Union won all three of the matchups this year against Northland Pines by a combined score of 13-3.

“We are ready for the playoffs and hope to have a great game on Thursday,” Stebbeds added. “Whatever happens Thursday, I am proud of the girls for playing hard day in and day out for me.”

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