In the history of the state tournament, there have been 48 teams that played their 'first game' in Madison. Of those, 22 teams grabbed victory in that quarterfinal game and moved on to semifinal action.

The Sparta/West Salem/Bangor Vipers are in those skates this year. They come in as decided underdogs to #3 Verona, but as they say, the game is played on the ice, not on paper. The Vipers have won two consecutive one-goal games, including a comeback from a 4-2 deficit with under four minutes left to Wisconsin Rapids in a sectional semifinal match-up. 

Leading the way on offense are senior forwards Tyler Gorniak (35g-19a) and Erik Burdick (14g-19a). Sophomore Taylor Trapp (11g-16a) has played well for a youngster. Lending leadership is senior Devin Kvistad (8g-4a).

Defensively, the Vipers are lead by junior blueliners Hunter Meyer (6g-19a) and Luke Langreck (1g-9a).

Sophomore Julian Grosskopf (2.32 GAA, .917 save%) has performed admirably for the Vipers this season.

The Verona Wildcats are making their fourth trip to the state tournament. They have tons of firepower and have scored an amazing 200 goals this year to lead all teams.

They are led by senior Player of the Year candidate Eddie Matsushima (34g-36a). Every class has talented players for Verona, which bodes well for their future. Junior Zach Jones (24g-35a), sophomore Charlie Parker (13g-33a), and freshman Tarek Baker (14g-28a)--who might someday be the best of all of them--all have played key roles.

The defense has good senior leadership in Cole Gastel (11g-19a) and Alex Watzke (3g-15a).

Senior Matt Opsal (1.46 GAA, .910 save%) has seen all ice time for the three playoff games, but classmate Travis Dahlk (2.29 GAA, .880 save%) has played lots of minutes as well for Verona.

BOTTOM LINE: Unless Grosskopf stands on his head and makes 50 saves, the Wildcats simply have too much firepower for the Vipers to keep up. Look for it to be close for about a period, and then expect Verona to pull away.

Trasher's prediction: Verona 6, Sparta/West Salem/Bangor 1