By Steve Morris

A flux of penalties derailed the agenda of the North Branch boys hockey team. On Jan. 5, the Vikings surrendered to Becker/Big Lake/Milaca 4-7. The Vikings had five penalties in the game.

The power play opportunities kept the Vikings from establishing a flow and rhythm, assistant coach Darrell Schulte said.

Sophomore defenseman Brian Dahlstrom netted his first varsity goal of his career to tie the game at 1-1 in the first period.

The Vikings had a solid 4-1 lead in the second period, behind two goals from senior forward J.T. Lindholm.

However, Becker remained unfrazzled and was able to net three goals to end the second period with a 4-4 tie.

In the third period, the Vikings came apart at the sea ms and allowed three unanswered goals and lost the game.

Hoping to turn the corner, the Vikings played the Spring Lake Park Panthers for their second conference game of the season. Their defense crumbled like a house built of cards; they let in 13 goals and lost 2-13.

The Panthers scored five goals in the second, four in the third and scored on five of six power play opportunities.

Scoring goals for North Branch was Lindholm and Levi Disrud.

The Vikings are now 1-11 overall and 0-2 in the North Suburban Conference.

"Spring Lake Park continued to pressure and using terrific speed, kept the Vikings off balance the whole time," Schulte said.