skip navigation

2013 Girls State Tournament preview

By Michael Trzinski, 02/25/13, 12:00PM CST

Share

Which team is ready to take the final step?

game one: central wisconsin storm vs. Onalaska hilltoppers (12:00pm)

Last year, the Central Wisconsin Storm played nearly a perfect game in the state finals in defeating Onalaska 6-2.

This year, the teams will meet one day earlier as they open competition in the girls state hockey tournament in the first semifinal game to be held on Friday at the Alliant Energy Center.

Central Wisconsin (24-1-1) had been rated #1 in the Wisconsin Prep Hockey poll for most of the year, but got knocked out of the top spot after a tie to St. Croix Valley and a loss to the Bay Area Ice Bears. They have rebounded to win their last five contests, including a 22-1 goal margin in their three playoff games.

The Storm are led in scoring at forward by sophomore Kelly Knetter (22g-19a), senior Kylie Gazzolo (20g-19a), and  junior Megan Marlowe (15g-18a).

Senior Emilee Mytinger (9g-10a), junior Alex Guenther (11g-6a), and junior Ashley Zacho (8g-4a) add scoring punch for the Storm, as does freshman Arielle Riedel (6g-9a).

Defensively, the Storm is led by senior captain Claire Poirier (1g-6a), junior Marissa Matushak (2g-5a) and sophomore Izzy Uhl-Chmiel (2g-6a). Freshman Michaela Zingler (1g-5a) adds young depth for first-year coach Jana Wimmer, who took over for the retiring Denny Drake.

Junior goalie Lisa Fowle (.923 save%, 1.11 GAA) leads the state with ten shutouts.

Onalaska (22-4) is currently ranked #1 in the state. The Hilltoppers have not lost to a state opponent, losing their four games to Minnesota teams.

They are led at forward by stud junior Theresa Knutson (74g-21a), senior Baylee Darling (25g-30a), and speedy sophomore Jacyn Reeves (32g-18a).

Junior Jamie Weilandt (23g-19a), freshman Chazlyn Anderson (10g-21a), and sophomore Lucy Anderholm (3g-11a) provide depth.

On the blueline, senior Molly Coughlin (3g-16a), freshman Sarah Buswell (4g-14a), and sophomores Kianna Kalmes (2g-8a) and Abbey Hoins (1g-6a) see the major portion of ice time for Coach Eric Bugenhagen.

In net, sophomore Jeanalyn Schindler (.855 save%, 3.38 GAA) has seen all the action while notching five shutouts.

TRASHER'S TAKE:
Both teams average 38 shots per game. Onalaska allows 23 per game while the Storm allows 15. Something has to give...

When Onalaska allows more than 30 shots in a game, their record is 5-3. The Storm has not allowed more than 30 shots in a game this year.

Defensively, the edge goes to the Storm. Offensively, the Hilltoppers are unmatched.

The Storm gets the edge in goaltending. Will it be enough to offset the Hilltoppers' firepower?

FINAL: Storm 4, Onalaska 2



game two: Hayward/Spooner Hurricane vs. USM Wildcats (~2:15pm)

Last year, Hayward dropped a 4-1 semifinal decision to eventual state champ Central Wisconsin Storm. It was the Hurricane's only state appearance. They arrive at state via a 3-1 win over the St. Croix Valley Fusion in the Sectional 1 final.

The USM Wildcats are returning for the second time. Their initial appearance was in 2010, where they lost to that year's state champs, the Fusion, by a tally of 2-0.

Hayward/Spooner (20-4-2) relies heavily on two players, but get balanced scoring from the forward line. Sophomore Aly Tremblay (41g-23a), sophomore Madeline Spangenberg (14g-22a), and junior Cheyenne Turnbull (11g-18a) supply the bulk of the heavy lifting. Senior Meredith Ingbretson (14g-7a), sophomore Emma Dieckman (8g-8a), and junior McKenzie Tingo (7g-2a) can shoot and dish as well.

Defensively the Hurricanes are led by sophomore Holly Turnbull (11g-41a), who leads the state in assists. The remainder of the young blueline corps is manned by sophomore Annika Neerdaels (6g-10a), and freshmen Alex Grubbs (3g-4a) and Karin Knapp (3g-6a).

The netminding position was split by senior Sarah Miley (.907 save%, 1.49 GAA, 7 shutouts) and junior Noel Weber (.899 save%, 1.78 GAA), but Miley has played every minute of the three playoff games for first-year coach Scott Turnbull.

USM (20-6-1) edged Brookfield Glacier 1-0 in the Sectional 4 final to earn the trip to Madison.

A couple of sophomores lead the Wildcats: Nina Andersen (37g-14a) and Rose Revolinski (15g-33a) complement each other well. Freshman Caitlin McBride (6g-17a), senior Liz Curley (9g-6a), sophomore Rachel Lowe (4g-4a) and freshman Hannah Koniar (0g-5a) round out the top two lines for Coach Jason Woods.

Seniors are the mainstays on defense. Laine Tomesch (18g-27a), Meredith Behm (12g-14a), and Abby Leitschuh (5g-4a) will get the bulk of the playing time.

Junior Jaime Hathaway (.935 save%, 1.47 GAA, 8 shutouts) is one of the state's top netminders for the Wildcats.

TRASHER'S TAKE:
Both teams like to put the puck on net, with Hayward/Spooner's 37 to 30 for USM.

'HASP' is a little stingier on defense, allowing 16 shots compared to 22 for USM.

The Hurricanes have allowed over 20 shots just twice this season, while USM has given up 30 or more six times for a 3-3 record, including a 3-2 OT win over Hayward in late January.

FINAL: USM 3, Hayward/Spooner 2 (OT)