By Jed  Buelow

Tomahawk Leader Co-Editor, Sports and Nature Editor

EAGLE RIVER – After a rough stretch to finish out the regular season that saw Tomahawk get swept out of the GNC Tournament, things will not get any easier as the Hatchets got the tough task of traveling to Eagle River to take on top seeded Northland Pines in the opening round of the WIAA playoffs.

Earlier in the week #8 seeded Tomahawk traveled to #5 Antigo to take on the Red Robins in the opening round of the GNC Tourney and fell by a score 12-0. Antigo made quick work of the game scoring eight unanswered goals in the first period en route to the shut out win.

Over the weekend Tomahawk traveled to Eagle River for 7th place game and fell to #6 Rhinelander by a score 6-0.

Hatchet head coach Chris Bembinster said outside of a slow start that saw his team give up three in the first and three more in the second, the Hatchets were playing some of their best hockey of the season heading into the final period of the game.

Coming off the pair of shutout losses, the Hatchets drew the tough straw of having to return to the Eagle River barn for the opening round of the WIAA playoffs this Thursday, Feb 20. Pines won the GNC this season with a 7-0 conference record and finished 20-4 overall. Tomahawk entered the showdown without a conference win on the season and a 2-19 record overall. Opening puck drop is at 7:30 p.m.

The winner of the opening round game will go on to face the winner of #5 Waupaca and #4 Marshfield.