Opening the 2011-12 season by dropping a pair of games to a couple of top ranked teams last weekend (University School and Middleton) wasn't exactly how Waunakee wanted to start their quest for another Badger North title.  The Warriors were hoping the friendly confines of the The Ice Pond would help them get back on the winning track with two games as part of the "W Tournament."

Waunakee ended up splitting a pair of games during the annual Holiday tourney, winning 6-3 over Waupaca in Friday's contest, while dropping a game to Wisconsin Rapids by the same score on Saturday. It was a tale of two games for the Warriors.

Friday's opener was only the second game integrating the five state champion football players into the line up, but it appeared that issue wouldn't hold the Warriors back. A power play goal by senior Ron Zaleski opened the scoring at 9:40 of the first period. Senior goal scoring machine Jason Ford would add two more before Waupaca would light the lamp at 7:25 of the second period. Junior Blake Anderson tickled the twine at 9:02 of the 2nd stanza to keep the Warriors on top 4-2 after two.

Senior goalie Mitch Horras stopped 16 of 17 third period Comet shots, while Waunakee added goals from seniors Austin Braska and Hunter Darger to notch the victory 6-3.

Coach Olson said, "It was great to see some of the younger players get some quality ice time and contribute. We're going to need that all year." 

Saturday's match up against the Red Raiders from Wisconsin Rapids just didn't seem to have the same 'giddy-up' by the Warriors as the visitors poured in four goals before sophomore defenseman Keegan Ford hit the back of the net at 4:26 of the second period. Waunakee battled back to make it 4-3 on goals by senior defenseman Chase Busch and a pretty goal by Jason Ford with assists from Ron Zaleski and Connor Scheffler. But two more third period goals by Wisconsin Rapids iced the Warriors and they left the Ice Pond with a 6-3 victory over the host Warriors.

Netminder Mitch Horras stopped 26 Red Raider shots in the loss.

The Warriors will finish the tournament at Waukesha on Tuesday before returning home to the Ice Pond on Dec. 3 against Monona Grove.