By Steve Morris

The Vikings gave up a 3-0 led and fell to Moose Lake Area Rebels 4-5 in overtime on Dec. 27

It was the first game of the Rush City/Pine City Holiday Classic Tournament. The Vikings went 0-3 in the tournament.

Senior forward J.T. Lindholm kick started the scoring with an unassisted goal four minutes into the game. Soon afterwards, Dalton Miska made his first varsity goal by roofing a puck past the Rebel goalie. Wrapping up first period scoring was Lindholm, who found the back of the net for his second goal of the period. Assisting the goal were Levi Disrud and Alex Nelson.

However, the Vikings were unable to hold the momentum and allowed the Rebels back into the game.

"Before North Branch knew it, the game was headed into overtime ...," assistant coach Darrell Schulte said.

The Rebels found a way to pull out the win and the Vikings lost their fifth straight.

For their second game of the tournament, North Branch played Rush City/Pine City on Dec. 28 and lost 9-0.

"Not much to say, Pine City hammered us for the second time this season," Schulte said.

For the last game of 2006, the Vikings had aspirations of closing out the year with a win. Minneapolis East had other plans and North Branch surrendered 2-3. It was the second time this season North Branch has lost to Minneapolis East.

North Branch goalie Nicole Bredahl played well, saving 28 of 31 shots. But her efforts were not enough to leave the arena victorious.

Alex Nelson scored a goal on a power play, with assists from Lindholm and Disrud. Nelson scored yet again in the second period, putting in a rebound from a shot from Lindholm.

Entering the third period, the Vikes were optimistic with a two goal lead. But penalties got the upper hand as the North Branch piddled away the lead.

"Penalties hurt the Vikings the rest of the way and played much of the third period in their own zone as they had only two shots on the East goalie in the period," Schulte said.