VERONA, Wis. (WEKZ) - For the first 32 minutes, the hockey match-up between Edgewood and Monroe was an exciting, free-flowing hockey game packed with drama and intensity.

For the final 19 minutes, it was all Edgewood, and it wasn't much of a contest.

Edgewood, which entered the game as the most recent number-one ranked squad in the state at Wisconsin Prep Hockey, was considered a heavy favorite against Monroe. Earlier this year, Edgewood dominated Monroe 9-1. The Crusaders, who received their top ranking before going 1-2 in a trio of tough match-ups at a holiday tournament in Green Bay, also sat atop the Badger Small Conference standings undefeated.

The first half of the first period was back-and-forth as both teams got to work, leading to a scoreless first nine minutes of the game. At 9:22 in the first period, Edgewood was called for a penalty, putting Monroe on the power play. Edgewood, however, was able to quickly turn the tables, with Owen Koch scoring a short-handed goal just 17 seconds into the penalty to put the Crusaders on the board first.

Edgewood kept up the intensity, holding the puck for most of the penalty kill. Shortly after the penalty expired, the aggressiveness paid off with a rebound goal knocked in by Dan McLimon at 12:32 in the first period to go up 2-0. That score would hold through the first intermission.

It seemed for a moment like Edgewood would begin the rout early with a quick goal in the second period, a tape-to-tape jab from Davis Halbleib to Dylan Lenz to go up 3-0 just 1:44 into the middle frame. However, Monroe, which had been matching Edgewood's physicality all game, would quickly get one back on a rebound goal punched in by Wyatt Janecke at 2:25 of the second period.

Monroe's rally attempt stalled when the Cheesemakers were called for a penalty at 4:41, putting them on the penalty kill for the first time. Monroe was able to turn away Edgewood on special teams, setting the Cheesemakers up for a goal when they were back to full strength at 6:58 as Cameron Newcomer netted a goal on an assist from Janecke to get Monroe within one goal.

A few seconds after the goal, an Edgewood penalty put Monroe on the power play for the second time. This time around, the Cheesemakers were the aggressor, and with 17 seconds in the penalty, the loudest cheer and gasp from the crowd in Verona came when a shot from between the circles hit on the inside part of the pipe, but ricocheted out and away from the crease. The near-equalizer was close enough that officials had to talk to both coaches about the call, delaying the game for a few minutes.

Through that point in the game, Edgewood and Monroe put on a show worthy of headline billing. However, late in the second period, the game took a sudden turn.

Edgewood's offense came to life, scoring three goals in the final 2:10 of the second period (by Carter Rosenberg, Matt Richter and Koch), including a power-play goal with just 10 seconds to go before the second intermission. Suddenly, a game that was nearly tied only a few minutes prior was now a 6-2 rout.

The Crusaders would pile on five more goals, most of them in the first few minutes of the third period, before it was all said and done. Rosenberg (his second), Owen Porter, Hudson Kinsler, Halbleib, and Porter again would light the lamp before the final whistle.

Rosenberg, Porter, and Koch each scored two goals for Edgewood in the win. Five other players had one goal each. Monroe's goals were by Janecke and Newcomer.

Hayden Reuhl got the win for Edgewood in goal. Brock Brandli took the loss for Monroe.