STAR JOURNAL REPORT

After having scored only once after two periods Tuesday, the Rhinelander High School varsity boys hockey team added three third-period goals and went on to win in Great Northern Conference action at Medford, 4-1.

The Hodags took a 1-0 lead midway through the first period when Abe Laggis scored on the power play assisted by Danny Zuiker. RHS remained in front by a goal until the final period.

“The second period was scoreless with us not playing very well,” said RHS head coach MJ Laggis. “We outshot them 8-3 in the period, but we were unable to generate quality shots, and had way too many shots blocked and bouncing the other way out of the zone.”

The Hodags’ opportunity to expand their lead came early in the third period when Medford was a skater short for 5 minutes after a penalty for checking from behind.

RHS scored twice on the power play. Brandon Kolasa passed to an open Cole Spaulding, who tallied the first goal, followed by Harlan Wojtusik extending the lead to 3-0 with a goal assisted by Freddy Wisner and Abe Laggis.

After Medford scored its only goal midway through the third period, the Hodags added an open-net goal from Wojtusik in the game’s final minute.

Shots on goal favored RHS, 35-11, with Seth Stafford making 10 saves to record the win in net.

The win improved the Hodags’ undefeated season record to 3-0 in the GNC and 6-0 overall going into Thursday’s home conference game against Tomahawk.

Hodags 4, Medford 1

Hodags                 1              0              3 – 4

Medford               0              0              1 – 1