Kettle Moraine took the ice trying to advance to Madison for the first time since 2007.  Marquette was there last year.   Marquette enters the game ranked #6 in the state and were the  #2 seed  in sectional 7, while Kettle Moraine is ranked #8 and the #1 seed in the sectional.

The first period started with fast paced action going up and down the ice.  Marquette’s  Patrick Brandt was accessed a two minute penalty for Head Contact at the 2:45 mark of the first period.  Marquette killed off the penalty and the pace continued.  Marquette was called for their second penalty with 45 seconds remaining in the first period.  The penalty was called on Joe Llaurado for boarding.  Kettle Moraine capitalized on the power play at 16:39 of the first period, when Greg Simandl scored the goal with Justin yute and Sam Hart being credited with the assists.  Quinn Disrud collected 7 saves for Kettle Moraine, while Mike Roznik had 5 saves for Marquette.

The second period seemed to have just gotten underway, when Joe Llaurado tied the game at one.  Llaurado scored 54 seconds into the second with Aaron Miller and Griff Jeszka assisting on the goal.  Kettle Moraine found their way to the penalty box 5:08 into the period, when Mitch Ellena was called for hooking.  Marquette’s power play opportunity was short lived as James Lueken was called for a high sticking penalty at 6:11 of the second period.  Marquette’s Joe Llaurado was called for slashing with 5:30 showing on the clock.  Both teams killed off these penalties and the period ended tied at 1.  Roznik had 10 saves in the second for a total of 15, while Disrud had 12 saves for a total of 19.

The third period started with both teams at full pace and moving the puck well.  Kettle Moraine broke the tie with 10:22 remaining in the third period on a goal by Jake Erdman with Sam Hart and Justin Yute being credited with the assists.  The action resumed and a short time later Joe Llaurado went for a wrap around attempt to tie the game.  However, it appeared his leg gave way as he tried the tight turn and the whistle was blown shortly thereafter.  The trainer came to look at Llaurado, but Llaurado limped over to the bench before the trainer got to him.  The trainer looked at him on the bench and play resumed.

It appeared that Marquette tied the game from our vantage point at 9:57 of the third period.   However, the officials said “NO GOAL”, Kettle Moraine’s Connor Moran was called for a roughing penalty at that time.  Marquette took advantage of the power play opportunity and scored at the 10:28 mark of the third.  The goal was scored by Kevin Hannigan and assisted by Griff Jeszka and James Lueken.  Marquette took the lead with 5:00 minutes remaining in the third period, when James Lueken scored with Will Podewils and Jackson Weiss being credited with the assists.  The play continued and both teams kept up the pressure.  While looking at the bench, you could see Joe Llaurado really wanted to get back into the game.  Finally with about two minutes remaining in the game, he took the ice.  The leg did not seem to have any ill effects as he had a breakaway late into the third, but shot it wide left.  Marquette made the 3-2 score stand up and earned their way back to Madison.  Quinn Disrud collected 9 saves in the third period and finished the game with 28 saves.  Mike Roznik added 5 saves and finished with 20 total.

Maruette will face Wausau West n the second quarterfinal game in Madison on Thursday, March 1st, at approximately 2:15 PM.