They may not have been wearing scrubs and rubber gloves, but Addison Gruhlke, Payton Dykstra and Reese Sheehan each scored lifting the Wisconsin Selects up off the operating table with win-or-go-home victory over Nashville on Friday in Cleveland. Wisconsin moves into the 2025 Chipotle-USA Hockey Girls National Championships Quarter-finals against Minnesota Premier Prep White at 10:00am Saturday.

“We put forth the type of effort you need to win games in this tournament,” said head coach Emily Bauer. “Our backs were to the wall and this group responded, proud of their effort and excited to be playing on Saturday.”

Prior to taking the ice on Friday, the Selects watched as the Northern CT Lights defeated the Boston Jr. Eagles, 3-2, opening the door for Wisconsin to advance with a win over Nashville. It was another scoreless period for Wisconsin as the Predators Suzanne Honan gave Nashville a 1-0 lead at 13:05 of the first period. The Predators held a 9-8 shots advantage.

Addison Gruhlke, playing one of her most inspired games of the season, lit the Select’s fuse just thirty-six seconds into period two. Gabi Heuser drove the puck down the right wing and across the top of the circles, dropping a beautiful pass to a crossing Gruhlke who fired a low wrist shot beating Predators goalie Juliet Spradlin to tie the game at 1-1. 

Wisconsin would dominate the period with twenty-two shots on goal and take the lead midway through the period. Bailey Schuh attacked down the left wing, turning the defense and getting a puck on net that rebounded out to Payton Dykstra, who one-timed it past Spradlin for the Selects first lead in the tournament at 2-1.

Selects goalie Makenna Hutchison made a handful of big saves in the second period as the Predators took advantage of the aggressive Selects offensive attack to create several odd man rushes. Hutchison finished a strong game with twenty-six saves.

Reese Sheehan provided the dagger with under three minutes to play with a hard-working goal to give Wisconsin a 3-1 lead. Sheehan dug a puck loose in the corner, and took it directly to the net and scored with a sharp glove side wrist shot. Spadlin finished with thirty-eight saves for Nashville.

Wisconsin now faces Minnesota Premier Prep White who is 3-0 with victories over Northwest Generals (MA) 4-1, Steel City Selects (PA) 3-1, and the Grand Rapids Griffins (MI) 4-0.