The Hatchet boys hockey team took three more losses last week to fall to 0-4 on the season, but the Hatchets continue to make up ground on their foes.
They fell 9-1 to Chequamegon/Phillips on Tuesday, lost 7-3 to Marshfield on Thursday, then hung within 7-5 of Rhinlander on Friday.
“Rhinelander has always been our rival, so the boys were fired up to play – big time,” THS coach Rick Myre said. “We started the scoring out finally. I told the boys to pin their ears back and fight hard; let’s get on top!
“I’m super proud of my team. I preach never give up or let anyone or anything control the outcome of the game but themselves, and they did that to perfection. I saw my offense put pucks in the net and communicate efficiently. My team continues to improve and stay hungry for a victory. I hope we get one soon, so I can get some sleep.”
THS jumped out with goals by Kevin Bolder (7:18, A-Alex Ungerer, Jakob Panzer) and Steven Renn (12;14, A-Matt Parker), but the Hodags tied it with power play goals before the period was over. Ungerer (A-Renn, Cole Hoeppner) gave the Hatchets their last lead 2:53 in the second.
The Hodags scored three straight for a 5-3 edge at the break. THS twice got within a goal with two scores from Panzer (3:36, 8:37) – both assisted by Ungerer and Bolder. Tomahawk trailed 6-5 for almost 8-1/2 minutes before Rhinelander scored with :03 left.
Saves–THS–Dan Hanke 4-7-8–19. AHS–Jacob Arno 3-4-5–12.
Tiger rush
THS trailed just 3-2 midway through the third period of Thursday’s game, but was out-scored 4-1 in a wild 1-1/2 minute span late in the frame.
“We came out hard and fast this game wanting our first win and these kids are close,” Myre said. “It’s not that we are tired. I have these boys getting in shape. It’s the mental part of our game that is getting the best of us. We’re getting closer to our goal of ‘teamwork,’ but still have ‘hardwork’ to do.”
Bolder (10:38, A-Ungerer) converted a power play in the second. Ungerer (5:41, A-Panzer, Parker) cut it to 3-2 with a short-handed goal and Panzer (15:19, A- Ungerer, Hoeppner) pulled it within 5-3 late in the third.
Saves–THS–Hanke 10-12-9–31. MHS–Brad Krueger 2-0-5–7.
Shwamy roll
The visitors held a 4-1 lead after the first, and added one and four more in the next two periods.
“The boys came out ready to play for the home opener but found ourselves down by two before Jakob Panzer buried one,” Myre said. “My young (goal)tender was just not focused for the game and you will have that in young players, so we put Harley Jorgenson in in the middle of the second.
“The boys fought hard in the second but just could not get anything going offensively.”
Saves–THS–Hanke 12-4-*–16, 5 G; Jorgenson *-11-11–22, 4 G. C/P–Kristen Perchacek 13-14-7–34.