Looking to remain second in the Great Northern Conference, Northland Pines came out strong in the opening frame of Tuesday’s game against the Rhinelander Hodags. The Eagles scored four goals in the first period, securing a 4-2 victory. 

TJ Ebert was first to score for the visiting Eagles off of a pass from Tucker Wittkopf right in front of the net. Two minutes later, Jack Rhode grabbed the puck and rushed to the Rhinelander net with Brett Estabrook right on his heels. Estabrook put on pressure but Rhode thought quick and backhanded the puck to the net where Tyler Hunt was waiting and ready to tip the puck in, giving the Eagles a two goal lead. 

Half of the period had elapsed before the Eagles got on the scoreboard again with a goal scored by Nick Dean. Fellow seniors Colton Raymond and Connor Cox picked up assists on the play. Tyler Hunt notched his second goal of the night, assisted by Jack Rhode and Ryon Ritzer, thirty seconds later, extending Pines’ lead 4-0. The Eagles were called for having too many men on the ice towards the end of the period but were successful in killing off the bench minor that Sammy Spencer served. 

Neither team was able to get the puck past Alex Littleton or Ethan Polich in the middle frame despite several opportunities for both Pines and Rhinelander. Both teams killed off three penalties each throughout the period. 

The Hodags had a 5-on-3 advantage in the third period with Tyler Hunt serving a five minute major for boarding and Ryon Ritzer in the box for tripping. Logan Wild capitalized on the opportunity, scoring a power play goal and then scoring an even strength goal, his second of the night, with less than thirty seconds to go in the game. 

Northland Pines will host Mosinee, University School of Milwaukee, and Hayward this weekend for the 21st Annual Pines Classic Tournament. Mosinee and Northland Pines will play at 5:00 on Friday for a game counting towards their Great Northern Conference standings. University School of Milwaukee and Hayward will take the ice at 7:30. The winners of the two games will play for the Championship at 2:30 on Saturday while the other two teams will play at 12:00 for the Consolation title.