By Jed Buelow

Tomahawk Leader Co-Editor, Sports and Nature Editor

After starting the season with a thrilling overtime victory over Chequamegon, the Hatchet hockey team appears to be going through a few growing pains as Lakeland came to SARA Park Thursday for the GNC opener and got the win 10-1.

The T-Birds jumped out to a 3-0 lead at the end of period one and continued to add on with five more in period two. Tomahawk’s lone goal came in period three when Zach Friske lit the lamp on a pass from Caleb Lund to avoid the shutout to the T-Birds.

Coach Chris Bembinster said they identified some things they did well as well as some things that will need to be improved upon going forward.

“We have confidence in this group, we just have to find our identity moving forward,” he said.

Things did not get much easier after a tough loss to Lakeland, as Friday night Tomahawk hosted Mosinee for another GNC tilt and fell by a score 9-1.

The Indians took early control putting four on the scoreboard in period one to jump out to the 4-0 lead. It would prove all they needed, as Tomahawk wouldn’t get on the scoreboard until period three when C. Lund scored on a pass from Cody Scholz to avoid the shutout loss.

“We want the kids to believe in themselves and the team like the coaches do,” Bembinster said after a tough second straight loss in a week. “The process will take some time this year. I sincerely hope families and community continue to rally behind these boys. We know great things are about to show up on the ice. Tough start to the season, but we are sure they will get better sooner than later.”

Tomahawk has another tough test tonight (Tuesday) as Northland Pines comes to town for a GNC tilt that begins at SARA Park at 7 p.m. Then on Friday, Dec. 13, they hit the road to take on Chequamegon for the second time this season after beating them in the season opener in overtime. Opening puck drop at Park Falls is at 7 p.m.