Cardinals sprint past Hodags for playoff-opening win Box Score Feb. 21, 2009 If the playoffs are a race to state, then the Chi-Hi/McDonell girls’ hockey team got a fast start as it left Rhinelander in the dust during Thursday’s opening-round game.
The Cards took it to the Hodags on both sides of the puck in the 7-0 win and by the time the third period rolled around, Rhinelander was too tired to keep up.
With Mikayla Hogan dressed but sitting due to a leg injury, Allie Tanzer led the Chi-Hi attack.
Tanzer had a hat trick by the end of the opening period, with the first goal coming at 3:27.
A second followed at 6:36 as Tanzer took an unclaimed Rhinelander centering pass and skated the length of the ice to light the lamp. A third came off assists by Stacey Brown and Megan White near the end of a power play at 12:43.
“It’s nice to know that others can step up,” Chi-Hi coach Andy Skelton said. “Allie is a great player and works very hard. She’s our go-to girl and someone to look out for in the playoffs.”
The defense also came up strong in the first period and beyond, allowing just seven shots on goal.
Skelton said his defensemen have been working on communication and it came through tonight. He added that they have developed on-ice chemistry since the pairings got set late in the season.
While the defense stayed strong in the second, the offense managed just one goal when White converted a power-play opportunity. Still, the period still served a purpose in Chi-Hi’s win.
As the second dragged on, the Hodags (5-14-2) showed signs of slowing down that continued into the final period.
A White goal 30 seconds into the third didn’t help things.
“I shortened my bench because it was a playoff game,” Rhinelander coach Wil Losch said. “With each goal, I think they just got a little bit more sluggish. When they got that first one on the first shift in the third period, I think that took away any wind that was in our sails.”
The trio of Cheryl Salmonson, Sam Phephles and Marlayna Luebstorf then burned Rhinelander twice over the course of 23 seconds in the third to wrap up the playoff victory.
The eight Cards who made the scoresheet demonstrate just what Losch was going against, even with the knowledge that Hogan probably wouldn’t play.
“They’re still a well-rounded team,” he said. “With or without her, we knew we were preparing for a fast team and good passing team. They certainly showed that.”
Skelton said Hogan is good to go in sectionals on Tuesday, though he won’t know if she is 100 percent until game time.
That game will be at the Chippewa Area Ice Arena against the Eau Claire Stars, who Chi-Hi (16-4-1) has faced twice this year. The opening game of the season was a 4-1 Chi-Hi win while the two teams tied 4-4 on Jan. 22.
“They’re very well-coached,” Skelton said. “Hard-working team. They got some talented kids. They’re very dangerous and we have to play a great game. We just have to play our game and hope the rest takes care of itself.”
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