Left, SPASH Red Panther Hockey Player Amanda Milanowski.

Story and Photos by Robert Whitmire

The Point-Rapids Red Panther Girls Hockey team skated into the 2013-2014 season hosting a four team scrimmage at the Ice Hawks Arena Tuesday night. 

Appleton United, Marshfield, and Badger Thunder rounded out the competition. The Red Panthers look to improve on a fourth place finish in the conference last season posting a 9-4-1 conference record, 10-12-02 overall.

Point-Rapids, a member of the rugged Great Northern Conference, opens its 19-game regular season schedule on Tuesday, November 26th at the K.B. Willett Ice Arena in Stevens Point playing host to the Central Wisconsin Storm, the preseason favorite to win the conference title.  The Puck drops at 7:00 pm. .

“It’s going to be a tough game because the Storm is always a tough opponent,”, said Red Panther senior Amanda Milanowski.  “But we are going to work hard in practice and bring it to them.”

Milanowski rang up seven goals with three assists during the 2012-2013 season for the Red Panthers. The team led the Great Northern Conference with 11 Power Play Goals in 41 attempts (26.8 pct.)

SPASH Red Panther player Taylor Gregorich.

The Red Panthers are a co-op team that includes girls from Wisconsin Rapids and is coached by Rachael Graves. Her assistants are Nicole Busse, Trish Dakins, Kristen Selbach, and Goalie Coach Amanda Senn. They rotate their home games between the Ice Hawks and K.B. Willett Ice Arenas in Stevens Point and the South Wood County Recreation Center in Wisconsin Rapids.  The Red Panther Girls Hockey program started play in the 2006-2007 season.

“We have a lot of younger players but they are starting to learn what the Red Panthers are all about and that will become an advantage for us,” said Milanowski.  “We have a pretty strong conference including Marshfield, Eagle River, and Rhinelander.  None of our games will be easily won but with our dedication and hard work we can make it possible.”

The Red Panthers 2012-2013 season ended with a 2-1 loss to Rhinelander-Antigo in the Regional Finals.

SPASH Girls making up 12 of the 18 member roster include Freshmen Megan Nolan, Carolyn Storch, Kaylee Bruneau, Bryar Brooks, Emily Exner, Breanna Conrad, and Merina Chappel; Sophomore Haley Ehr; Junior Hannah Beilke, and Seniors Rachel Nolan, Amanda Milanowski, and Taylor Gregorich.

Season Schedule

Tuesday, Nov. 26 vs. Central Wisconsin Storm @ K.B. Willett Arena – 7:00 pm

Monday, Dec. 2 vs. Marshfield @ Marshfield Youth Ice Center – 7:00 pm

Thursday, Dec. 5 vs. Waupaca @ Waupaca Expo Center – 7:00 pm

Saturday, Dec. 7 vs. New Richmond @ South Wood County Rec. Center – 10:00 am

Friday, Dec. 13 vs. Northern Edge @ South Wood Rec. Center – 5:00 pm

Tuesday, Dec. 17 vs. Lakeland @ Lakeland Hawks ice Arena in Minocqua – 5:00 pm

Friday, Dec. 20 vs. Eau Claire-Altoona @ K.B. Willett Arena – 6:00 pm

Friday, Jan. 3 vs. Medford @ Simek Recreational Center in Medford – 7:00 pm

Monday, Jan. 6 vs. Northland Pines @ South Wood County Rec. Center – 5:00 pm

Friday, Jan. 10 vs. Tomahawk @ South Wood County Rec. Center – 7:00 pm

Monday, Jan. 13 vs. Marshfield @ Ice Hawks Arena – 5:00 pm

Monday, Jan. 20 vs. Waupaca @ South Wood County Rec. Center – 5:00 pm

Saturday, Jan. 25 vs. Bay Area @ Cornerstone Community Center in De Pere – 11:00 am

Monday, Jan. 27 vs. Northern Edge @ Langlade County Multi-Purpose Building in Antigo – 7:00 pm

Friday, Jan. 31 vs. Lakeland @ Ice Hawks Arena – 7:00 pm

Monday, Feb. 3 vs. Medford @ South Wood County Rec. Center – 5:00 pm

Thursday, Feb. 6 vs. Northland Pines @ Eagle River Sports Arena – 5:00 pm

Monday, Feb. 10 vs. Tomahawk @ SARA Park in Tomahawk – 7:00 pm

Friday, Feb. 14 vs. Badger Thunder @ South Wood County Rec. Center – 7:00 pm