Hodag hockey falls to Lakeland

Sam Schneider shot gets by the Lakeland goalie in the power play to tie the score at three in the third period.

Thursday night was a showdown in GNC hockey to determine seeding for the upcoming conference tournament. The Lakeland T-Birds with a win would be the No. 1 seed and conference champions with only one loss in conference.

Tthe Hodags with a win would have a chance for the No. 2 seed, depending on the outcome of their game against Pines on Monday. 

In a Hodag home rink nearly filled to capacity, and playoff atmosphere both teams came out playing hard and fast. The game went back and forth with the Hodags tying the score at three on a power play goal by Sam Schneider in the third period. After that point Lakeland did all the scoring, adding three more goals for a final score of 3-6.

Now the Hodags must win at Northland Pines to be the No. 3 seed; lose and they are the No. 4 seed but would still host a first round game. BOB MAINHARDT PHOTOS

Hodag goalie Tyler Kimmerling deflects a shot on goal in the second period.

Fans packed the bleachers at the RIA in a playoff-game type atmosphere.

AJ Turek's pass to Finn Tulowitzky gets past the Lakeland defense but Tulowitzky could not get the puck into the T-Bird net.

Sam Schneider shot gets by the Lakeland goalie in the power play to tie the score at three in the third period.

The puck bounces off Cody Everson and eventually into the net for the T-Birds' fourth goal and gives Lakeland the lead for good.