By Victoria Dahlin

The North Branch boys hockey team was defeated by the Northern Lakes Lightning Co-op 1-11 on Feb. 16 at the Hallett Community Center in Mora.

Lane Noyes with the puck. Photo by Victoria Dahlin

The Northern Lakes Lightning team is a co-op team consisting of Aitkin, Crosby-Ironton, Northland, Pequot Lakes and Pine River-Backus with a 18-4-3 overall record.

“Possibly the best team we’ve played all season,” commented Coach Darrell Schulte. “They skated us hard for 51 minutes and didn’t let up. They ate us up, down low and moved the puck effectively to the points. We were always a step slow and could never really get ourselves on track in any area.” Coach Schulte continued, “Sachs and Noyes connected for another short-handed goal. We had a couple of scoring opportunities that we could not convert into goals. I hate to say it, but they dominated us in the shot department (44-18) and it showed on the scoreboard. You have to give the Lightning credit. They had us on our heels the whole time.”

The North Branch boys hockey team is independent and not in a conference. They now have a 4-14 overall record.

The Viking boys will be competing in the 5A Section playoffs this week, with the first game having been played Tuesday, Feb. 24 against Pine City/Rush City. If the Vikings win they will compete against St. Cloud
Cathedral at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26 in St. Cloud.

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