Head Coach Dan Wade knew his undefeated Lakeshore Lightning was in for a tough stretch of games. After rising into the state rankings at 7-0-1 the Lightning dropped an overtime game to Beaver Dam followed by two lopsided defeats—Bay Area 8-1 and 8-0 to the Central Wisconsin Storm. Sophomore Olivia Dykema scored twice and and assisted on a third goal to lead the Lightning to a 3-2 win over Cap City at the Culver’s Cup played at the Verona Ice Arena.

The Cougars who opened the season with five straight losses, followed by five straight wins, were looking to avenge a previous 5-1 loss to the Lightning. Head Coach Brenna Weber said, “We came into this game expecting a battle and Lakeshore delivered. It was good back and forth with opportunities coming from the full bench.”

Both teams bolted from the gates scoring in the games first two minutes. Dykema took a pass from Erin Brezovar and converted a backhand in close to give Lakeshore a quick 1-0 lead just 26 seconds into the game. Thirty-nine seconds later, Paige Nowinski got a step on the Lakeshore defensemen in the neutral zone and beat freshman Elizabeth Bowers over the glove to tie the game at 1-1. The period featured a lot of neutral-zone play as the teams transitioned between turnovers. Brezovar another Lakeshore freshman trickled a net-front pass just under Sofie Martinelli at 5:05 to give Lakeshore a 2-1 lead. Martinelli made a big save with just over two minutes in the period and defenseman Abby Godfrey kept it at 2-1 with great play to break-up a potential odd man Lightning rush.

Cap City started the second period with a hat trick of scoring chances, all turned aside by Bowers. Olivia Dull was stoned in close on nice pass from Lilly Wagner, freshman Penny Loeffelholz couldn’t get her breakaway chance past Bowers’ blocker, and later was denied on a rebound chance. Midway through the period, Bowers stopped another breakaway by Wagner. Lakeshore got a power-play chance at 7:14 and made a bid to advance their lead, but Cougar netminder Sophie Martinelli kept the game at 2-1. Lakeshore finally solved Martinelli for a third time on an individual play by Olivia Dykema, who walked out of the left-wing corner, cut across the front of the net, and lifted a backhand over Martinelli’s shoulder.  

A five-minute major penalty on Wagner gave the Lightning a great opportunity, but it was Martinelli, who made twenty-two second period saves, who kept the two-goal margin it tact. “Sofia Martinelli held up her end of the deal,” said her head coach. “Making big saves, challenging Lakeshore, and bringing energy when needed.”

The Lightning took that 3-1 lead to the third period.

Lakeshore nearly sealed the win with just over seven minutes to play when Martinelli got caught out of her net then dove back to save a sure goal keeping the score at 3-1. The Cougars quickly turned the puck around and scored to make it a one goal game. Dull scored on the backdoor at 7:25 to bring Cap City to within a goal at 3-2. Martinelli added one more point blank save on Dykema with 50 seconds remaining. The Cougars would not get their goalie off until just over twenty seconds left in the game.

Lakeshore finished with a decisive 38-15 shots-on-goal advantage.

It was a much-needed win for the youthful Lightning. “After back-to-back games against Bay Area and Central Wisconsin in our last two games, it was good to get a win,” admitted Lakeshore Head Coach Dan Wade. “Cap City has been playing well and they refused to go away, so we needed to play an entire game to come out on top.” Lakeshore, 8-3-1 on the year will play Wisconsin Valley Union, who won a thrilling 1-0 game over Brookfield, scoring with just eight seconds left.

For Weber and the Cougars you have to move forward, “This is a game we learned from and we will build for the next.” 

Three Stars of the game:

1-LL-O.Dykema, 2-CC-Martinelli, 3-LL-Bowers

Blue Collar-CC-Loeffelholz