Blog: Big Games
Fink Ices Arrowhead With Late Game Heroics Catholic Memorial Escapes Arrowhead on Two Goals in the Games Last Minute Written by Chris Walby Previously ranked, Catholic Memorial, stopped their two game skid with a dramatic win over Arrowhead last night at the Mullet Ice Arena in Hartland. After two periods of play, Arrowhead and Catholic Memorial were knotted at two goals a piece. The game remained tied up until the last minute of play in the third period when Catholic Memorials Kyle Fink scored for the Crusaders on a Sam Chapin centering feed. “They were getting shots, then we were getting shots, it was a real nail biter,” said Fink, a senior for the Crusaders about the frenzy of opportunities each team had in the games final stanza. Immediately after Fink scored the go ahead goal, senior Cody Dixon took a penalty and the Crusaders went down a man for the final minute of the game. With The Crusaders were able to neutralize the face off and kick the puck to the boards, where they killed seconds off the clock. When a loose puck squirted out from the boards, it found the blade of Kyle Fink’s stick. “I just wound up and let it go,” said Fink. Fink’s shot went the distance of the rink and found the back of the net on the fly. After starting out the season red hot, Catholic Memorial dropped four of their last five games and dropped out of the top ten in state rankings. Even worse, defenseman Cody Dixon suffered what appeared to be a season ending injury two weeks ago. Last night’s emotional win, which included an inspirational performance by a hobbled Cody Dixon and some late game heroics, might be the spark that leads the Crusaders into the playoffs.
Skibba and Koritzinsky Tame the Lions Written by Chris Walby
January 26, 2011
Middleton seniors Brett Skibba and Todd Koritzinsky, each scored a hat trick in a 10-2 win over the Madison West Regents last night at Cap Ice in Middleton.
The Cardinals, poised to get past last Saturday’s 4-1 loss to conference nemesis, Verona, proved to be too much for the Regents to handle.
Both teams took the ice with short benches. The Regents were without captain, Alex Shuchuk and junior Kacey Mackman, both sidelined with injuries.
The Cardinals’ junior Adam DeRosa, junior Brandon Thayer, senior Mike DeRosa and Jaron McCallum were also out with injuries and illness. In the end, Middleton’s depth was too much for Madison West to overcome.
Verona Wins a Thriller in Overtime
Written by Chris Walby
January 26, 2011
Knotted up at three goals a piece, Verona’s Louie Ellis tallied the game winner in overtime on a power play goal. Beloit goaltender, Zach Woodman, stopped 38 of 42 shots on net in the loss.
Beloit slips to 14-4-0 on the season and travels to Big Eight conference leader, Middleton this Saturday for a rematch with the Cardinals. Beloit lost to Middleton earlier this season at home, 4-0.
Verona will play host to conference rival, Janesville this Saturday. The Wildcats tied Janesville on the road and in their first game of the season, 3-3.
Big Games, Rivalries Renewed and Scores to be Settled Written by Chris Walby
January 25, 2011
There are several big games across the state tonight in WIAA high school hockey action. Here is a preview of some of the more notable match-ups. The home teams are listed first.
For a list of scores from the games previewed below, click here…
Beloit - Verona
The Verona Wildcats will load the bus tonight for Rock Co., looking to keep things rolling against a stingy Beloit Memorial squad, led by senior goaltender, Zach Woodman.
The Wildcats just handed conference leader Middleton their first Big Eight loss and can continue to make hay in the conference with a win tonight against runner up, Beloit.
This Big Eight match-up, should be a dandy.
Deforest - Waunakee
The “Battle of the Barn” Part Two. What happens when two teams share a rink? They duke it out for bragging rights. The brand new facility in Waunakee, the “Ice Pond at Waunakee”, is gorgeous and home to both Waunakee and Deforest.
It will be rocking tonight for this tilt… like, literally rocking. The rink’s sound system is the best in the state.
Eastside - Janesville
Janesville travels north for a Big Eight match up against the East Side Lakers. First year coaches, Brian Campbell and Kurt Smith have done a nice job with the Lakers this season.
Their 2-12-2 record is an improvement from last season and even better, the Lakers are working hard until the end of each contest.
Arrowhead – Catholic Memorial
This Classic Eight Conference has several story lines, none bigger then the injury to “Mr. Hockey” candidate, Cody Dixon, senior defenseman for Catholic Memorial. Sources say Dixon might give it a go tonight.
Kettle Moraine/Mukwonago - Waukesha
Waukesha freshman, Zed Dietrich, has 10 points in his past two games. You can catch his act tonight at the Nagawaukee Ice Arena. Get your popcorn ready.
Madison Memorial - Sun Prairie
A historic Madison area match up, between two schools rich with hockey tradition, this tilt never gets old. The Madison ice arena has hosted some classics between these two schools.
Cardinal fans went crazy for Wilson and Honrath back in the day, while the Memorial faithful chanted for Gruber and Peterman. Maybe these squads don’t have the same star power as the early 1990’s did, but the rivalry is still there.
Menomonie - Eau Claire Memorial
Eau Claire Memorial is still undefeated in the state of Wisconsin and still number one. The Old Abes are putting together a fantastic season. They are skilled, disciplined and poised for a big finish.
Middleton - Madison West
Middleton suffered their first defeat since the opening weekend of the season. It will be interesting to see the team’s response this week.
Neenah - Appleton
A turf war in the valley, nice. Cliff Watson and the boys versus Carson Buksnes and his Neenah Rockets in a Badgerland Conference game.
Onalaska - Tomah
If there is one thing that Tomah hockey players hate more than losing to Sparta, it’s losing to Onalaska. Expect Tomah to be focused and to amp their game up a notch in the battle between these two rivals.
Oregon - Monona Grove
Have you checked out the Badger South conference race? How about the sectional six seeding order that continues to brew? There will be a carnival like atmosphere in the OCSA tonight when both teams jockey for conference and playoff position.
River Falls - Hudson
River Falls is 6-2-0 in the Big Rivers Conference; Hudson is 5-3-0. This should be a great game with a group of talented players. Hudson rolls into town with Ryan Dau and Co., while River Falls top trio of Karl Anderson, Casey Jerry and Ben Novak look to defend their home ice.
Stoughton - Marquette
Eighth ranked Stoughton plays host to third ranked Marquette. This game features four of the greatest things about high school hockey; two top-ranked teams, working their tails off to compete and two of the best student sections in the state.
Warning to Marquette fan, bring the blaze orange hunting gear. Shirtless is not an option at the Mandt due to the crowded parking lot and the distance from your car to the rink.
Superior - Duluth Central
Nolan Holcombe and his Soup-town boys haven’t had time to unpack their bags from last weekend’s “Showdown in Titletown” and their back on the ice already. Welcome to life in
the show.
Tomahawk - Lakeland
The Tomahawk Hatchets are 12-6-0 and winners of their last eight. A win tonight would cap off an already impressive run. The Hatchets have a solid defensive duo in Tyler Saindon and Jared Hansen, while Matt Gerber packs their offensive punch.
Wausau West - Wausau East
One of the state’s greatest rivalries is renewed tonight in central Wisconsin. Wausau West is 7-0-0 in Wisconsin Valley Conference play, while rival Wausau East is 8-1-0. What a night for hockey fans at Marathon County Park ice arena. Enjoy.
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