Northland Pines boys hockey returned to Rochester, Minnesota to participate in the Rochester Kiwanis & Home Federal Hockey Festival. Last year, Pines was crowned the Champion of the gold division after a long battle with Hudson that had to go all the way to a shootout to determine the winner. 

In the first round of this year’s tournament, Pines faced off against Rochester Century, one of the host teams of the tournament. Rochester Century and Pines battled last year against each other as well. 

Right from the drop of the puck, it was clear that tonight's game would be aggressive and intense for both teams. Both teams saw end to end action throughout the game and not a lot of shots. 

Coincidental minors started off the game with Nick Dean and John Zwarych sent to the box for elbowing and roughing. Noah Wittkopf put Pines on the board with a goal first, with assists on the play awarded to Colton Raymond and Connor Cox. 

Shortly after the goal, Jake Jantzen served his first of three penalties of the night, this time for interference of the game. Kory Droes got called for a 5 minute major for boarding 14 minutes into the game. Rochester Century also had a penalty assessed to them, 2 minutes against Ryan Sherden. 

The second period saw 5 penalties assessed to Northland Pines. The Eagles started the period with a one man deficit due to time remaining on Kory Droes’ penalty. 

Carson Cox made a visit to the box shortly after for interfering with the game. Rochester Century used their power play to their advantage and scored their first goal of the night against Gabe Hartwig. 

Pines started their next shift down a man due to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty assessed to Colton Raymond after the goal. Raymond’s line mate Noah Wittkopf joined him in the box shortly after for a tripping penalty. 

Erik Thorvilson slipped an unassisted goal past Hartwig to take the lead of the game, 2-1 in favor of Rochester Century. 

Bailey Ramesh had a close shot from the circles that appeared to go in from the crowd’s point of view and had them standing in excitement, but was ultimately saved by the Century goalie. A roughing penalty charged to Jake Jantzen rounded out the 2nd period of the contest. 

The third period saw plenty of action from both sides of the ice. Pines dominated the puck in the third period, outshooting Century 11-6. Pines rallied hard and took multiple shots at the goalie, finally having success with just under 8 minutes to go in the period. 

Newey Spencer and Noah Wittkopf drove the puck to the net before Colton Raymond managed to slip the puck into the net and tie up the game. There was a 5 minute major against John Zwarych of Rochester Century, but Pines was unable to capitalize on the opportunity and the game was sent to an 8 minute sudden death overtime. 

The overtime saw numerous close saves by both goalies, but neither teams were able to get past the solid goaltenders. After an exhilarating period, the game was sent to a shootout to determine the winner and who would move on in the tournament bracket. 

Colton Raymond and Newey Spencer both were successful in the first two attempts, followed by Riese Zmolek for Century. It was all down to Pines’ third shooter to determine the winner. 

Bailey Ramesh sunk the third shootout attempt for Pines into the net, ending the game in a 3-2 victory over Rochester Century. Pines will face the winner of Ashwaubenon vs Rochester Mayo tomorrow night at 7:15 Tuesday night.