A shutout in Shawano for Raiders

Linemates Brayden Machon and Miles Searles accounted for all of the scoring in Medford’s 4-0 non-conference win at the Shawano Co-op on Dec. 28.

Searles scored twice in opening period and Machon tacked on the next two goals, giving the Raiders a four-goal lead within the game’s first 18 minutes. They were unable to tack on any more, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. The Raiders outshot Shawano 51-21, putting 15 shots on goalie Dylan Prochaska in the first period, 19 shots on him in the second period and 17 more in the scoreless third.

The win was Medford’s second in a row and boosted the Raiders to 3-7 heading into a Great Northern Conference clash tonight, Thursday, at Tomahawk.

Ben Brunner collected his second career shutout with 21 saves, 10 of which came in the second period.

The Raiders shut down five powerplay chances for the home team, one of which was a five-minute major in the third period. Medford did not have any power plays as Shawano’s lone penalty occurred while the Raiders were killing off the five-minute penalty.

Searles scored his first goals since he had two on opening night in Marshfield Nov. 23. His first one came off a Kaden Kennedy assist just 5:36 into the contest. Isaac Schaefer set up the second one just 48 seconds later.

Machon took over the team lead with seven goals on the season. His first one in this game came at the 15:45 mark of the first period off a Searles assist. Machon scored an unassisted goal just 46 seconds into the second period.

After tonight’s game in Tomahawk, Medford will head to Lakeland for a tough GNC matchup with the Thunderbirds Tuesday at 7 p.m. They’ll be at Merrill- East’s annual tournament Jan. 14-15.