Monica Freeman/For the Gazette Finlandia’s Lauren Monger takes a faceoff during a game Saturday against Adrian at the Houghton County Arena.

HANCOCK — It is easy to look at the fact that the Finlandia Lions women’s hockey team is mired in an extremely difficult season. It is also easy to suggest that nothing was gained from a weekend where the Lions fell to the No. 5 Adrian Bulldogs 6-2 Friday and 10-0 Saturday.

The truth is, the scores look bad, but the Lions are actually playing some of the best hockey at the right time.

“We looked good,” said Lions coach Matt Marchel. “We defended really hard. It was awesome to see.

“We battled hard, there was no giving up.”

The Lions, who are 0-17-0 on the season and 0-8-0 in NCHA play, had a rough second period Saturday afternoon that saw the Bulldogs score five of their six goals. However, rather than quit playing with the score at 6-0, the Lions kept fighting and were eventually rewarded for their efforts.

Senior Catlin Siegel scored her first goal of the season 1:18 after the Bulldogs’ final tally. Even more important, the goal came on the power play.

Junior center Bella Abear scored 10:01 into the third period with freshman forward Taylor Pingrey picking up another assist.

Pingrey continues to lead the team in assists (7) and points (7) while still searching for her first collegiate goal.

Marchel likes what he is seeing out of the youngster.

“It’s kind of ironic because the one thing she does really well is shoot the puck,” said Marchel. “She wants it. We need to get her a goal.

“She’s taken such a big step from Day One to now. She brings it every single night.”

In Sunday’s contest, the Lions trailed 8-0 late in the third period when Abear took a boarding penalty. The Bulldogs scored twice on the ensuing major to push their advantage to 10.

After making 68 saves in Saturday’s contest, junior goaltender Annah Smiddy made another 61 stops Sunday.

With Sarah Gundry out with an injury, Smiddy stood as tall as she could, continuing to garner praise from her coach.

One other player Marchel is pleased with seeing the development of throughout the season is sophomore center Abby Kolek. Kolek has three goals and four points, but more importantly, she often draws tough coverage assignments in her own net, where she continues to prove she is defensively responsible.

“She’s tasked with being our responsible, defensive center, as well as our up-the-ice, goal-scoring player,” said Marchel. “She’s smart and strong on her stick. She’s been great all year.”

With just 13 healthy skaters available at this point in the season, the Lions will need an impressive effort to break through and pick up their first win of the season. This weekend, they play host to the Northland Lumberjills, a team with which the Lions are building a natural rivalry due to the fact that Northland is just three hours away by car.

The Lumberjills are in the playoff discussion at this point in the season with a record of 4-5-1 in NCHA play and an overall record of 5-11-1. Northland is fresh off a sweep of Marian last weekend.

The Lumberjills are led by freshman forward Karadyn Kiviaho, who has four goals and eight points. Junior forward Robyn Matula has a team-high six goals.

Another notable Northland defender has a name familiar to local fans. Vivienne Kallio is in her third season, and she has one assist in 12 contests.

Goaltender Gabby Suhr has appeared in 17 games, going 5-10-1 overall with a 2.79 goals against average and a .926 save percentage.

GAME TIMES

The Lion and Lumberjills will faceoff at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Houghton County Arena and then again Sunday at 2:30 p.m.