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Division 1 Sectional Semi-Finals Roundup

By WiPH Staff, 02/11/21, 11:15AM CST

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A two seed fell, otherwise we're looking at chalk... and covid.

Section 1

Eau Claire Memorial vs Hudson: A big second period was the difference between Hudson and Eau Claire Memorial in this one. Hudson outshot the Old Abes 9-3 in the second and turned a 1-1 game into a 4-1 game. 

The Raiders return to the sectional final against the same opponent who beat them in last year's final.

SPASH vs Chippewa Falls: The Cardinals opened and closed the scoring with short handed goals, and Isaac Frenette had a hat trick in the win. The Cardinals played fast and loose all game long and benefited from having Bridger Fixmer back in the net, because of few of their turnovers in the first two periods really hung him out to dry and he bailed them out.

Sectional Final: As members of the Big Rivers Conference, the two teams met twice this year. The first was a 4-3 overtime win for Hudson, and the second was a 6-0 win for Hudson.

Expect a game more like the first than the second, but Hudson should be well motivated remembering last year's loss to the Cardinals in the sectional final.

Section 2

De Pere vs Notre Dame: Michael McIntee and Isaac Rentmeester played Playmaker as they each recorded 4 assists in Notre Dame's 7-2 win over De Pere. Notre Dame's puck movement was phenomenal as they recorded two assists on 6 of their 7 goals.

Bay Port vs Neenah/Hortonville/Menasha: It was a hold-your-breath-for-every-shot kind of game. 1-1 after the first, and again after the second period you knew it was going to be white knuckle the rest of the way. Sean Samels scored at 11:21 of the third period to give Bay Port the 2-1 win and the hung on the rest of the way.

Sectional Final: The two teams met back in January and Notre Dame took a 4-1 win, but not for lack of chances on the part of Bay Port who put 33 shots on Notre Dame goalie Xander Roberts, whose name sounds like super hero's secret identity. 

Section 3

Waunakee vs Edgewood: After having their regional final against Sun Prairie cancelled by Sun Prairie due to covid, Edgewood had to do the same and hand the semi-final to Waunakee. 

Sauk Prairie vs Verona: Whenever a program is on the rise, as Sauk Prairie has been the last few years, the question becomes "well who have they played?" 

The Eagles hung with Verona the whole game, and shots were basically even 34-32. The big difference in the game was having Team Wisconsin's Kaden Grant in net for Verona. 

And so the defending champion heads to the sectional final.

Sectional Final: Verona played a WAHA game with Waunakee back in December, where they won 7-4 and both teams took 39 shots. They played a WIAA game in January and this time Waunakee came out on top 3-2 despite Verona out shooting them 51-31.

Based on the shot totals of the two previous meetings, I'd expect fireworks at this sectional final. 

Section 4

Waukesha vs University School: I've heard every period of a hockey game described as its own mini-game before. And ideally you'd want to win more periods than your opponent. If you do that, you'll probably win the game. USM won all 3 periods of this one 2-1 for a final of 6-3. 

All three of Waukesha's goals came on the power play, and the Wings were an impressive 3-for-6 against the number one team in the state, but it wasn't enough.

Arrowhead vs KMMO: There is an aphorism in hockey that says scoring in the first minute or last minute of a period is incredibly energizing for the team that scored and demoralizing for the opponent. 

KMMO scored 32 seconds into the game, and with 1:08 left in the first period. In the second period they followed by only allowing four shots on goal. So, aphorism confirmed?

Arrowhead got on the board about five minutes into the third period, but it wasn't enough to overcome KMMO.

Sectional Final: These two teams met twice this season with USM winning 2-1 and 3-2 in overtime. USM managed to keep KMMO's top trio of Jacob Cartland, Hunter Santos, and Michael Saunders off the board in the first game, and only Santos found the net in the second. 

The two teams are a combined 0-for-13 on the power play across both games. 

So, this game won't make any sense and somebody is going to win 7-5.


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