Northland Pines picked up a big 8-0 victory over the visiting Medford Raiders last night in the first round of this year's playoffs. With the win, Pines advances to host the Northern Edge Co-op on Tuesday here at the historic ERRA Dome. 

Four seconds was all it took for the Eagles to get on the scoreboard last night after Amanda Sergent grabbed the puck off of the initial face-off and scored her first goal of the night. Just forty four seconds later, Gabby Herfindahl added a goal. 

After only one minutes and twenty seconds had elapsed into the game, Pines took a 3-0 lead with a goal by Katy Gwyn, assisted by McKenzie Ebert. Amanda Sergent recorded her second of the night while Allison Sauvola picked up an assist on the play. 

Jenna Paez made a big save for Pines in the first period, stretching herself across the length of the goal down on the ice and denying Medford of a goal with her glove. The Eagles found themselves on a power play and Mikala Rubo used the advantage to her favor, extending her team’s lead 5-0. Medford had a shot right at the buzzer to close out the first period. 

Caroline Riley sent the game into running time shortly into the second period, launching the puck past Makayla Hanson. Head Coach Patrick Schmidt called a timeout for his team and ordered a goalie switch, sending freshman Piper Snedden into the game. 

Sallie Spencer, a junior on defense, kept the pressure on the Hanson from the blue line before Anna Hartwig nonchalantly walked the puck in to take a 7-0 lead. Piper Snedden stayed strong in the net, stopping two shots along with a Medford goal being called off. Pines led the shots 30-11 at the end of the second period. 

Mikala Rubo tallied her second goal of the night and her fourth point of the game in the third period to secure a 8-0 victory for the Northland Pines Girls Hockey team. Pines, the second seed in their sectional, will host the third seeded Northern Edge on Tuesday for a sectional matchup.