Defending GNC runner-up Northalnd Pines pulled out an 8-3 victory at SARA Park on Tuesday, but the Hatchet boys hockey team rebounded with a near-win in 5-4 defeat at Waupaca on Thursday.
Tomahawk trailed the Comets 4-0 after the first period, but cut it to 4-3 with 10:42 gone in the third on goals from Alex Ungerer (UA), Kole Woodall (A- Nick Osero) and Jakob Panzer (A-Ungerer). Waupaca notched one more late in the second.
“These guys are hungry for a win and are playing together as a team,” THS coach Rick Myre said. “We came out flat and out of gas in the first due to the pregame and Waupaca made us pay for it. I brought the guys together and explained the game starts 45 minutes before the game and they really saw the truth. We came together and put our ears back and came out ready to fight for a win. Waupaca was on their heels big time.”
Only Tomahawk’s Panzer could score in the third, with 8:13 gone.
“We pulled Danny Hanke with a minute and a half and really turned the heat up,” Myre said. “My guys were flying all over the ice and Waupaca was spinning circles and dead tired. But we just couldn’t tickle the twine. I don’t have to tell them to not give up that to me is apparent.”
Saves–THS–Dan Hanke 9-17-12–38. WHS–Walker Smith 12-12-18–42.
Mosinee melee
Pines also ripped off four unanswered in the first.
“Well, four big tough teams and four losses,” Myre said. “I had to call a time out and ask the guys if they wanted to give up or if they wanted to fight. They then turned their game up to full throttle and we put up a fight.”
Ungerer scored before the first was over and Woodall (A- Ungerer) cut it 5-2 in the second. Steven Renn’s goal in the third (A- Ungerer, Panzer) cut it 7-3.
“Our power play was tuned in,” Myre said. “Pines has 34 kids so they, like the rest of the teams we have played outnumbered us big time but for a small team we put up a hell of a fight.
“We have elevated our game at every level and my guys continue to play as a team, which is the most important part of hockey.”
Saves–THS–Dan Hanke 14-20-8–42. NPHS–Gaber Hartwig 9-9-*–18, 2 G; Ethan Polich *-*-5–5, 1 G.