It was a case of good news, bad news for the Waupaca boys’ hockey team.
The good news is Frankie Ellingson’s goal that gave the Comets a 4-3 overtime win Jan. 20 over the Fox Cities Stars.
The bad news is the Comets fell to Northland Pines 2-1 Jan. 18 in a matchup of Great Northern Conference teams.
Waupaca 4, Fox Cities 3 (OT)
WAUPACA – Ellingson’s game-winner came 2:21 into the overtime period.
After a scoreless first period, the Stars got on the board on Matt Piette’s goal 4:58 into the second period. It was the first of five goals in the period, as Waupaca quickly took a 3-1 lead on two goals from Jared Erickson and another from Drew Simonson. The Foxes eventually cut the lead to 3-2 on a Quinn Fitzgerald goal.
Ben Stone and Zach Smith picked up assists in the period.
The Stars tied the game on Riley Hughson’s goal with less then six minutes to go in regulation.
Comet goalie Walker Smith finished with 28 saves, while Fox Cities goalie Brett Nyman stopped 35 of Waupaca’s 39 shots on goal.
Northland Pines 2, Waupaca 1
EAGLE RIVER – The Comets had numerous scoring opportunities, especially in the first period, but couldn’t overcome a 2-0 deficit at Eagle River.
Brandon Hunt put the Eagles on the board with 34 seconds remaining in the second period and Bailey Ramesh found the net 30 seconds into the third period for a power play goal.
Waupaca cut the lead to 2-1 with 2:53 remaining in the game on Stone’s power play goal off of assists from Austin and Jared Erickson.
“It came down to a couple bounces,” coach Dave Crisman said. “I know we gave up a couple of goals, but we battled back, got the power play going and had a chance. That’s the key.”
The Comets played well in the first period, but didn’t have any goals to show for the effort, according to Crisman.
“The guys in the locker room after the first period were so upbeat,” he said. “We probably had five or six guys on the ice who had good scoring chances.”
Northland Pines outshot the Comets 34-20.
The Comets hosted Tomahawk Jan. 21 and will host Oshkosh North at 7 tonight (Thursday, Jan. 23).