The Central Wisconsin Storm have advanced to the WIAA Girls Hockey Championship game for the third time in the last five years.  They won the state championship in 2008.

The last time the Hilltoppers were in the tournament was in 2007, when they completed a six year run of playing in the State Tournament.  Onalaska had back-to-back runner-up finishes in 2005-2006.

The 2012 championship game will feature teams of contrasting styles.  The Storm enter the championship game allowing an average of 14.5 shots per game on net.   As a team, Central Wisconsin has a goal against average of 1.46 per game, while scoring 4.24 goals per game.  On the other bench, the Hilltoppers are allowing 19.6 shots per game on net.  Jeanalyn Schindler has a goals against average of 2.11, while the Hilltoppers’ offense is scoring 5.97 goals per game.

Onalaska is led by the 2012 Jinelle Siergiej Award winner, Theresa Knutson.  Knutson came into the state tournament with 66 goals and 33 assists.  Baylee Darling is second on the team with 52 points (21 goals, 31 assists).  Central Wisconsin Storm is led by senior, Myranda Hayes with 40 points (23 goals, 17 assists).  Kylie Gazzolo is second on the team with 20 goals and 16 assists.

The Storm advanced to the championship game with a 4-1 victory over the Hayward/Spooner Hurricanes.  Central Wisconsin had a strong offensive performance by Kylie Gazzolo with 2 goals and 1 assist.  Kristine Fonti finished the game with 19 saves.  Onalaska needed four overtimes to get past the Glaciers of Kettle Moraine.  Knutson had 3 goals and 1 assist including the game winner at 5:43 of the fourth overtime.

Saturday’s game will see the Storm trying to limit the shots from the Hilltoppers.  They have been able to do this most of the season.  Onalaska has been able to put a large amount of shots on their opponents throughout the season.  If a team concentrates too hard on trying to shut Knutson down, the Hilltoppers have 3 to 4 other players that can hurt you.

The key to this game, as with any other, is “which team can force their style of play”.  If the Storm can force Onalaska to play a grind it out game, Central Wisconsin will find the balance on their side of the scoreboard.  However, if the Hilltoppers can force the Storm into a fast break style game of moving the puck up and down the ice, in my belief the chances of Onalaska claiming their first state title increases.  The last key question, “How much does a four overtime semifinal game tax the Hilltoppers?”.

I am not sure how this game turns out, but I think it will be a one goal game and even though Bergler doesn’t want to hear it can anyone say …….

Overtime?