First time Wisconsin’s U18 team has ever beaten Minnesota Seniors

Wisconsin’s U18 team in gray jerseys faced the Minnesota Seniors in gold jerseys in their opening game at the NIT. It was an end-to-end fast paced first period. Wisconsin lit the lamp first with three minutes remaining in the period.

Arrowhead’s Jack McKenna beat the Minnesota goalie low with a scorer’s touch goal with assists from Brookfield’s Cooper Simon and Hudson’s Henry Steele. The first period ended with Wisconsin leading 1-0. Minnesota outshot Wisconsin 14-8 but D.C. Everest’s Griffen Bunnell did not allow a puck in the net.

Wisconsin started the second period on a power play because in the final seconds of the first period Minnesota got major penalty for boarding Superior’s Brayden Severin. Tomahawk’s Jonah Dickens took advantage of the power play and scored with assists from Brayden Severin and Tomahawk teammate, Brayden Lamer. Dickens’ goal gave Wisconsin a two-goal lead. Wisconsin had multiple scoring chances during the extended power play but were unable to get the puck over the goal line. Wisconsin ended the second period leading 2-0 and outshooting Minnesota 22-20.

Wisconsin started the third period with two players in the penalty box. Wisconsin’s penalty killers did an excellent job with sticks in passing lanes and killed the five-on-three. However, ninety seconds later SPASH’s Grant Molski was sent to the box for interference. Wisconsin had to kill another penalty. Unfortunately, this time Minnesota scored. Minnesota’s power play goal cut Wisconsin’s lead to one goal.

In the final minute Minnesota pulled its goalie for an extra attacker. Wisconsin’s goalie, Julian Scalcucci, stood strong and denied Minnesota. In the final seconds Hudson’s Henry Steele scored an empty net goal to secure Wisconsin U18’s 3-1 win.

“I am thrilled, it was an epic win for us. I don’t think our Wisconsin U18 team has ever beat the Minnesota Seniors. I am so proud of the compete level. Everybody contributed.” Cal Roadhouse, Head Coach Wisconsin U18.

“It was the final minute of the game. One of my teammates poke checked the puck, I stepped up got the puck and buried it to seal the win. It was a great win. It was impressive that we came together and beat the Minnesota Seniors.” Henry Steele, Hudson HS