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Special teams propel USM past Monona Grove

By Tom Geilfuss, USM Coach, 01/13/15, 9:15PM CST

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The University School boys’ hockey team defeated Monona Grove 4-1 in a non-conference game on Saturday at the Hartmeyer Ice Arena in Madison.

Coming off a loss to Kettle Moraine on Friday night, the Wildcats were eager to play better hockey and return to their victorious ways. The Wildcats fired 45 shots at Monona Grove’s goalie, Andy Nahirniak, scoring on four of them. Three of USM’s goals in the game came on special teams’ play. Brandon McGill, Ben Hrabak, Logan Geisness, and Chris Keliher each scored a goal for the winning Wildcats.

After the game, USM coach, Tim Quinn, said, “After an emotional loss last night, I was worried about how the boys would respond, but they rose to the challenge, soundly defeating a strong Monona Grove squad.  Almost each and every player stepped up his individual game, and the result was a dominating performance that was certainly one of our best of the year.”

The Wildcats opened the day’s scoring while on a power play.  In the Silver Eagles zone, Jerzey Judge got the puck at the center of the blue line.  Judge passed the puck to Peter Barney in the top of the right circle.  Barney fired a shot.  McGill tipped the puck out of the air and down into the goal behind Nahirniak at 8:16 of the first period.

The Wildcats were killing a penalty when they scored next.  In the USM zone, Geisness grabbed a loose puck and skated out.  He moved into the top of the circle in the Silver Eagles’ end and put a shot on goal.  The rebound popped out to Hrabak who knocked it in at 13:42.

The Silver Eagles were still on the power play and soon they scored their lone goal of the game.  In the Wildcats’ zone, Mathew Dutcher passed the puck to Steven Martine at the left blue line.  Martine stepped in and fired.  Tyler Patton tipped the puck past Mac Schmidt, USM’s goaltender, at 14:13 of the first period.

The Wildcats increased their lead late in the second period.  At the USM blue line, defenseman Tommy Ferrara stopped a Silver Eagle rush and tipped the puck to the boards to Geisness.  Geisness wheeled into center ice and into the Silver Eagles’ zone.  He swerved around a defenseman, cut in toward the crease and tucked the puck in Nahirniak’s five-hole at 13:39.

USM added one more in the closing minutes of the game.  On a power play, Ferrara at the point and Geisness in the right circle played keep-away for several passes patiently waiting for a good shot.  Eventually Geisness took one.  Keliher tipped the low incoming shot into the net at 13:28.

USM is now 9-4-1 and 3-2 in the Classic Eight Conference. The Wildcats play Arrowhead in a Classic Eight Conference game on Tuesday, January 13th at USM.  Game time is 7:00 p.m.

WiPH Game Summaries