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Bulldogs determined to make their mark

By Michael Trzinski, WiPH Staff, 02/01/15, 7:15PM CST

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Cedarburg looking for first state trip since 2011

Way back in the year 2011, the Cedarburg Bulldogs made their first and only appearance in the Wisconsin State High School Hockey Tournament. Although they dropped a tough 2-1 loss to Middleton in the quarterfinal game, Cedarburg has been on the fringe of becoming one of the top teams in the state since then.

In the seasons since the Madison trip, Cedarburg has compiled the following records:

  • 15-9-2 (2011-12)
  • 14-10-2 (2012-13)
  • 17-8-1 (2013-14)
  • 17-2-2 (2014-15) *

* as of January 31

The Bulldogs have the current longest unbeaten streak in the state, going 16-0-1 since a 4-1 loss to North Shore foe Homestead on December 12.

During that impressive run, they got revenge on Homestead with a 3-0 win in early January, tied defending Illinois state champ New Trier 1-1, beat ranked KMMO 3-1, and shut out University School 2-0 this week.

Clearly, this is a team on a mission.

With the Bay Area Ice Bears girls team losing this week, their 45 game unbeaten streak ended.

The Bulldogs now hold the longest such streak at 17. How do they do it?

In a word--defense.

Cedarburg is second in the state in goals allowed with 26, giving up 1.2 per game. Goalie Matt McCoy is currently second in the state in save percentage with a .950 rate, and is third with 1.22 goals allowed.

The junior netminder is not a flash in the pan, as he has a .938 save percentage in 45 career high school games. And he has eight shutouts this year. Not bad for a goalie no one outside the Milwaukee area has heard about.

McCoy has had help from his defense crew, especially from senior captains Taylor Curtis and Nick Russo.

The pair has allowed only two goals while paired on the ice this year.

Offensively, the Bulldogs have scored 83 goals for an average of 3.9 goals per game. That sounds good, but that ranks 31st in the state this season.

The 'Dogs hope to earn a state tournament trip, but have a few teams in their sectional that realistically hope to do the same.

Section 8 includes serious contenders such as Cedarburg, Fond du Lac, Homestead, Fond du Lac Springs, and University School.

In this year of parity, any team could make the trip to Madison.

Why not Cedarburg?