WAUNAKEE — The Middleton co-op and Sun Prairie co-op teams keep working overtime early in this girls hockey season.

That was the case again Thursday night as the teams battled to a 3-3 deadlock after playing without a decision through an 8-minute overtime in a Badger Conference game at the Ice Pond.

For Middleton (1-1-3 overall, 1-0-2 Badger Conference), it was its fourth overtime game and third tie in five games. For Sun Prairie (1-1-3, 1-0-1), it was its third extra-session game and third tie in five games.

Sun Prairie coach Jeff Thornton was excited an early two-goal deficit didn’t deter his team, also known as the Cap City Cougars. But he would have liked to have won after the Cougars rallied with three consecutive goals, including two by senior Jada Ward.

“I’m not thrilled with all the ties,” Thornton said. “We are still a young team. We are working to realize what we need to do to win the games. Five games in and we have three ties. It’s crazy. … You work hard and it feels unfinished.”