Eagles co-op falls one game short of state

One game away from the state tournament, the Northland Pines girls’ hockey co-op ran out of magic.

The fifth-seeded Eagles fell 7-0 to second-seeded Superior in a WIAA sectional final Saturday at the Hayward Sports Center.

“It’s tough — round three of the playoffs on the road back-to-back-to-back. It wears you down.” Pines coach Jeff Stebbeds said. 

“I don’t know. It didn’t go the way we wanted, just couldn’t get any offense generated. That was a fast team. They were moving out there today, and they were winning all the battles, the pucks, and just ... they’re a well-oiled machine. It was a solid team.”

Having already upset Wisconsin Valley Union and Central Wisconsin, the Eagles — a co-op comprised of skaters from Northland Pines, Rhinelander, Lakeland, Antigo, Three Lakes, Hurley and Norway (Mich.) high schools — couldn’t find their offense and were shut out for the first time since Feb. 12.

The Spartans (11-13-0, 2-1-0 Independent) tied a season high with seven goals scored. It all started with a penalty shot late in the first period.

Superior’s PaisLee Lystig broke away from the Eagles. Jordyn Hahn looked to slow down the breakaway attempt and ended up getting called for a holding call. Superior was awarded a penalty shot.

Lystig made a move past Northland Pines goalie Lucy Nowak and scored, giving Superior a 1-0 lead with just 10.9 seconds left in the first period.

“We were still playing hard at that time,” Stebbeds said. “End of a period like that, just it took the wind out of our sails. It’s hard to come back from that in a playoff game or any game and just like I said, at the end of any period like that, it takes your momentum away, and then it gives it to them, and they go and build off that the entire time the Zamboni’s out there, and you come back and try and recover.”

Penalties had the Eagles (8-14-2, 2-7-0 Wis. Valley) a player short for a good portion of the game. They totaled eight penalties for 14 minutes. 

Superior capitalized on one of those power plays in the second period. Addy Benson received the puck in the crease and scored a power play goal, assisted by Michaela Geissler. 

“Lots of penalties on both sides and just couldn’t get your regular lines out there or anything like that,” Stebbeds said. “Not much went well, and like I said, we were outplayed. The girls played hard, like I said, but … Superior was a tough team for us here.”

Late in the period, Benson made a pass to Gianna Geissler who went backdoor for a Spartan goal. Lystig also got an assist.

The Spartans added four goals in the third period.

Benson scored the hat trick for the Spartans and added two assists for a game-high five points. Lystig totaled four points on two goals and assists. Superior outshot the Eagles 37-13.

The Northland Pines co-op was shut down by Spartan goalie Peyton Benoit. She made all 13 saves. Laine Jelinski made a run at net in the first period. She weaved through traffic to try and score. It resulted in a Lilly Beitler shot that was saved.

In the second period, Avery and Mya Renkes worked together to try and get a goal. The shot went off target.

Even though the Eagles didn’t achieve their ultimate goal, they showed how bright their future is. Northland Pines will graduate just three skaters.

“Being such a young team like that, and then to go and upset the (Central Wisconsin) Storm, both teams, both games back to back on the road like that. It was fun. It’s a great learning experience for them and something to build off of for next year,” Stebbeds said.

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