It was a true battle between two of Wisconsin’s top Division 1 boys hockey teams when number one ranked Green Bay Notre Dame came to Milwaukee to play sixth ranked University School in a non-conference game on January 31.  The Tritons proved why they were the top team in the state by defeating USM, 4-1.

Notre Dame outshot the Wildcats 31-14 in the encounter.  Patrick Kelly, USM’s goaltender, was busier than usual.  He made 27 saves.  Bo Buckley, Notre Dame’s goalie, made 13 saves during the game.

Despite being outshot, the Wildcats scored the game’s first goal just 2:39 into the first period.   Ethan Thombs grabbed a loose puck behind the Notre Dame net.  He swung into the right corner then up along the boards.  He then cut along the across the top of the circle into the slot.  He whipped a wrist shot into the net for the goal.

The Tritons tied the game later in the opening period. Sam Peterman sent a D to D pass along the Wildcats blue line to Jacob Conrad. Conrad fired a low shot that hit a stick in front.  The puck bounced to Josh DeLange at the side of the net.  DeLange immediately snapped it past Kelly at 11:48.

Notre Dame scored what would prove to be the game winning goal late in the second period. Sawyer Scholl snagged a loose puck inside the Tritons’ blue line.  He took off like a jet along the left boards and sped past the USM defenseman.  He skated below the USM goal line swung behind the net then wheeled out front and gunned a shot past Kelly at 13:15.

The Tritons added a nail to the Wildcats’ coffin in the last minute of the period.  Brendan Poshak got the puck on the mid-boards of the Wildcats’ zone.  He centered it to DeLange who fired a shot from the slot.  The puck hit a USM skate and bounced toward the crease.  Isaac Rentmeester skated across the crease unmarked and snapped the puck in at 16:00.

Notre Dame scored the game’s final goal at 15:39 while on a power play.  As the Tritons worked the puck around the USM zone, it went to Scholl at the right point.  Scholl passed it to DeLange in the left circle and DeLange crossed it to Poshak in the other circle.  Poshak one-timed it into the net to seal the victory.

Jason Woods, USM’s coach said, “I’m very happy despite the loss. The boys were coming in with tired legs having played five games in seven days.  Notre Dame is at the head of the class for high school hockey this year and hadn’t played since Saturday, so we knew it was going to be tough.  Still, we went blow to blow until the end. An unfortunate bounce off our own skate late in the second gave them the lead and despite some great chances, we never could get even.  Notre Dame is fantastic, but I’m confident, after playing them tonight, we can compete against anyone.”

Notre Dame is now 17-1.  The Tritons play SPASH at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 1st at the K.B. Willett Ice Arena in Stevens Point.

USM  is 15-4-1 and 5-0 in the Classic Eight Conference.  The Wildcats play Arrowhead in a Classic Eight Conference at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4th at USM.