Hodag Highlights: Hockey team downs Medford

The Rhinelander High School boys hockey team experienced both ends of the spectrum last week, securing their first victory of the season before falling in a lopsided affair.
The second round of conference play began on a high note for the Hodags as they hosted Medford in a rematch of their earlier overtime loss. Playing at home this time, Rhinelander was determined to change the outcome.
Carson Plehn put the Hodags on the board first, scoring with 5:17 remaining in the opening period. However, Medford answered quickly in the second period, knotting the score within the first three minutes.
The middle frame belonged to Rhinelander. Carsen Zadnik netted his first career high school goal to give the Hodags the lead back. Later in the period, Drake Nelson added what proved to be the game-winner, putting Rhinelander up 3-1.
Medford made things interesting early in the third period, cutting the deficit to 3-2, and pulled their goalie late in an attempt to force overtime once again. But freshman netminder Connor McGee stood tall, turning away all late-game attempts. McGee finished with 27 saves to preserve Rhinelander’s first victory of the season.

The Hodags couldn’t carry their momentum into their second home game of the week, falling to Stevens Point Pacelli in a game that got away from them early.
Pacelli wasted no time, scoring less than a minute into the contest and taking a 2-0 lead after one period. The visitors added two more goals in the second period before Drake Nelson got Rhinelander on the board at the 6:04 mark, making it 4-1.
The third period saw Pacelli pull away with five unanswered goals. CJ Sparks provided a bright spot for the Hodags, scoring his first high school goal with 9:54 remaining in the game, but Pacelli’s offensive onslaught proved too much as they skated away with a 9-2 victory.
The Hodags will look to build on their breakthrough win over Medford as conference play continues.