The consolation game of the Girls Hockey Wildcat Cup Tournament at University School was a demonstration of classic hockey grit.  The University School co-op displayed a determined defensive effort, while their opponent, the Central Wisconsin Storm, showed forechecking prowess.  The result was a 2-0 win for the Storm in the non-conference game played on Saturday, December 14th at USM.

The Wildcats entered the game without several of their players due to ACT tests and injury.  But it did not affect their resolve to take on their powerful opponents from Central Wisconsin, ranked first in the state.

The Wildcats blocked shots, cornered opponents, lifted sticks, and cleared the puck well as they aided their goaltender, Sami Stommel, who played a gritty game in the nets for the Wildcats.  Stommel made 32 saves.

At the other end of the ice, the Storm’s goalie, Chloe Lemke, helped continue the Wildcats’ goal scoring woes.  She stopped every one of the 10 shots the home team put on the Storm’s goal.

The action in the game was tense. As it progressed, it became apparent that either team might win it.  A shot here or a shot there could easily make the difference.

The Storm got the essential difference maker in the first period. Trinity Foster took a cross ice pass from Kassidy Oliva as they skated into the Wildcats’ zone. Foster fired a shot from the left circle.  The puck hit a defender and caromed out to the right point.  Lauren Wincentsen was rushing into the zone, and she arrived in time to slap a low bullet toward the net.  Oliva had moved in and was able to tip the puck past Stommel at 11:42.

There was plenty of action but no more scoring until 2:05 of the third period.  At that point, Lauren Ellis batted in a rebound as the Storm swarmed the Wildcats’ crease, clubbing away at the puck. Audrey Ladewig and Kayla Piskula were awarded assists on the play.

The Wildcats had their best offensive period after that, putting seven shots on net, although none made it in, and the Storm headed back to Wausau with the win.

The victory gave Central Wisconsin a record of 5-1-1.  The Storm play the Chippewa Falls/Menomonie Sabers in a non-conference game at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, at the Chippewa Area Ice Arena in Chippewa Falls.

USM is 1-5-2 and 1-0-1 in the Eastern Shores Conference.  The Wildcats play Viroqua in a non-conference game at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 21.