This is the first trip to the big show for the Hayward/Spooner Hurricanes, while the Central Wisconsin Storm have been the regular representatives from Section 2 since their Championship run in 2008.

The Hurricanes were finally able to get past perennial nemesis St. Croix Valley Fusion led by a pair of dynamic freshmen, defender Holly Turnbull (26g, 29a in regular season) and forward Aly Tremblay (31g, 17a).

Senior defender Kelly Ahlgren (19g, 24a) and sophomore forward Cheyenne Turnbull (17g, 19a) round our the top scoring, with support from Hannah Dvorak (7g, 13a), Hallee Jorgansen (12g, 6a), and Emma Dieckman (3g, 12a).

Goalies Sarah Miley (.887 sv%, 2.13 gaa) and Noel Weber (.907 sv%, 0.87 gaa) split games during the regular season, but Miley has taken over for the playoffs.

Surprisingly enough, the Hurricanes have not played any of the other three tournament teams. So it is either to their advantage that none of the other teams know them, or to their disadvantage that they don’t know the other teams. Or else it just doesn’t make a difference, but it was worth noting for some reason.

The Central Wisconsin Storm are making the trek to Madison for the fifth straight season due to a solid team that plays sound fundamental hockey.

The Storm doesn’t have any forwards putting up the gaudy numbers that some of the other tournament teams have, and they are the lowest scoring team among the final four. But they have also allowed the fewest goals of any of these teams, primarily by limiting their opponent’s scoring chances, allowing just 11 shots on goal per game average.

Miranda Hayes (21g, 14a) is the leading scorer, followed closely by fellow forwards Kylie Gazzolo (20g, 13a), and Kelly Knetter (15g, 11a). The key to their success is to throw the puck at the net and see what happens. Deflections, rebounds, screens, whatever it takes, they get the puck in the net.

Paige Sedlar (4g, 9a) and Sarah Parsells (4g, 2a) anchor the very stingy defense, that does not allow their opposition any easy chances. Kristine Fonti (.895 sv%, 1.57 gaa) has gotten the bulk of the games, and all of the playoff games.

The Storm has a simple game plan, limit the amount of shots on their end, and crash the net on the other end. It’s not always pretty, but it is very effective.

Bottom Line: The Storm is going to score 2 or 3 goals. They’ve not been shutout this season, and only held to 1 goal one time. If Sedlar and company can do their job and limit the Hurricanes chances, Central Wisconsin can pull out a win.

Bergler’s Prediction: Central Wisconsin Storm 3-2.