Playing in the seventh place game of the Great Northern Conference Tournament is an unusual position for Northland Pines,  who played in the state championship game just two years ago.

Rather than wallow in self-pity, the Eagles seized the opportunity and skated to an 8-2 win over Medford, who had beaten them 5-4 just a couple weeks ago.

"I think our tradition is a driving force that keeps the kids motivated. You can’t go a day in Eagle River without the subject of Pines Hockey coming up in conversation," said Pines coach David Cox. "These kids have a high bar to reach each season. We talk a lot about being better people at the end of the day. Hockey is just sticks and pucks when day is over. The people make the game special and we make sure we graduate kids with great character and develop into even better team mates."

Logan Kramsvogel opened the scoring for Pines five minutes into the first period. He made a long streak down the ice and put a nice shot over the goalie's shoulder to make it 1-0.

Pines next goal was the gritty variety. Patrick Roth fired an off-angle shot in on net, and neither the goalie or defense could clear the rebound before Roen McGee tapped it in to give Pines the 2-0 lead. 

Two minor penalties and a boarding major on Medford gave Pines about 8:55 of power play time near the start of the second period, and during that time they picked up their third goal, a snipe from Drew Christensen to make it 3-0.

Medford narrowed the lead on a power play of their own, this time five-on-three, to make it 3-1. Logan Searles had the goal.

Pines would close out the second period with their fourth goal. Medford goalie Ben Brunner made the stop, but it dribbled through and just barely snuck across the goal line.

Pines would pick up four more goals in the third period to extend the lead to 8-1, before Medford picked up a short handed goal with time winding down to make it an 8-2 final.

The last time these teams played, Medford won 5-4 in overtime. Asked about what changed, coach Cox said, "I think when you are 4-17 you have so many areas to improve that is a tough question to pin point. Most importantly we are healthy right now compared to that night. Secondly we have played a lot of good teams since then and gained some valuable experience for our young guys. We have a freshman goalie and that has been a challenge on a team that possesses mainly JV skill level."

Eli Kerner had 13 saves in the win for Pines. Brunner had 43 in the loss for Medford.