On Sunday, April 28 at 8:15AM Wisconsin HP-18 played Michigan Juniors in the final game of the 2024 CCM NIT. Wisconsin entered Sunday’s matchup with momentum after stomping the tournament doormat, Colorado, the day before.

Michigan struck the first blow when they scored to take a 1-0 lead in the first period with 11:30 remaining on the clock. “We started a little slow in the first period, but then we turned it on.” Cal Roadhouse, Wisconsin HP-18 Head Coach. Several Wisconsin HP-18 players attended their school’s prom the night before, which explains the slow start.

Michigan’s one goal lead only lasted a few minutes. Gus “Dancing Shoes” Thorp, only hours earlier doing his best John Travolta imitation, exchanged his dancing shoes for skates and scored with 6:58 on the clock with an assist by Austin Lamer. As the first period was winding down, Middleton’s Wyatt Ehrhardt scored with an assist by Eau Claire Memorial’s Nick Madsen. Wisconsin HP-18 finished the first period leading 2-1.

Less than 90 seconds into the second period Wisconsin HP-18 extended the lead to two goals. Gus Thorp of Chippewa Falls scored his second goal of the game with an assist by SPASH’s Jackson Schroeder with 16:38 remaining in the second period.

The scoreboard went silent for the next six minutes. Then in a rapid fire of 60 seconds the two teams erupted for three goals.

With 10:36 on the clock, Michigan scored a goal to tighten Wisconsin’s lead back to one goal. Wisconsin responded seconds later by scoring to take a two-goal lead when Adam Sexton scored with assists by the St. Mary’s Springs duo of Gabe Braun and Austin Westergaard with 9:58 on the clock. Before fans had time to take a breath, Michigan scored 15 seconds later to tighten Wisconsin’s lead back to one goal. The second period ended with Wisconsin HP-18 leading 4-3.

In the third period the St. Mary’s Springs duo connected again. Gabe Braun scored, with assists to Austin Westergaard and Madison Edgewood’s Matt Richter, to give Wisconsin another two-goal lead with 13:31 on the clock.

Matt Richter scored a shorthanded goal with an assist by Bay Port’s William Lyons to seal the victory with 5:39 remaining in the game.

Wisconsin HP-18 beat Michigan Juniors 6-3.

“It was a great weekend for our team. They continually got better each game. They are an impressive group of young men and will have a bright future in the game. They represented Wisconsin very well.” Podge Turnbull, Wisconsin HP-18 Assistant Coach.

“We got better as the weekend went on. We had a group of nice kids. I really enjoyed coaching them. This is one of the most talented teams I have coached in the NIT. We have players that will end up playing at a very high level.” Cal Roadhouse, Wisconsin HP-18 Head Coach.