Senior forward Zach Jones (9) scored the go-ahead power-play goal Saturday, Dec. 22, as the Wildcats defeated Middleton 3-1 inside Capitol Ice Arena. Zach’s brother Alex had 18 saves in the win, which moved Verona two games up on the Cardinals and one ahead of Madison West in the Big Eight Conference standings. [Photo by Jeremy Jones]

Brothers Zach and Alex Jones never had the opportunity to play together on the same team before this season, but both knew what was on the line when the Wildcats traveled to Middleton’s Capitol Ice Arena on Dec. 22.

Verona and Middleton. Middleton and Verona. One of those teams have won every Big Eight boys hockey title since the Wildcats joined the conference back in 2008.

The Wildcats won the title last season, as well as their first season in the Big Eight. The Cardinals, meanwhile, won titles in 2009-10 and 2010-11.

Already a game up on Middleton, which dropped their previous game 5-1 to Madison West, the Jones brothers helped Verona hand the Cardinals a rare second straight loss, scoring three-unanswered goals in a 3-1 win to maintain sole possession of first place.

“Middleton–Verona has been a rivalry for years,” Wildcats head coach Joel Marshall said. “A lot of these kids grew up playing together in the same organization. Our guys definitely get up for this game. The bragging rights are always there.”

A back-and-forth game through one period, Verona senior forward Zach Jones’ power-play goal 38 seconds into the second period provided the Wildcats with just the spark they needed, outshooting the Cardinals 26-11 over the final two periods.

The third period saw the Wildcats increasing their lead to two, when Jacob Taylor scored at 6:22.
 

Verona picked up a penalty for checking from behind (in open ice), which resulted in a 2 minute minor and 10 minute misconduct with 3:07 remaining in the game before the Cardinals called timeout and decided to pull their goalie. The Wildcats attempted to put the game away with an empty-net goal several times but were unsuccessful. However, they did keep the Cardinals from scoring.

Middleton’s Max McConnell had eight saves in the third for a game total of 31, while Alex Jones had five saves in the final period.

“I was nervous, but excited when I found out I was getting the start earlier in the day,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to play against Middleton with my brother.”

Jones settled in after giving up the first goal of the game to Jake Bunz midway through the first period.

“The nerves went away a little bit after the first save, but it’s always there – not wanting to screw up,” he said.

Seeing only 19 shots on goal made it even harder.

“It’s a lot more difficult to stay focused when you’re not getting a lot of action back there.”

The Wildcats responded by killing Zac Keryluk’s crosschecking penalty at 12:57 before Verona tied the game off a scrum in front of the net as Charlie Parker put the loose puck past McConnell.

The Wildcats (7-1, 6-0 Big Eight) picked up the eventual game-winner thanks to captains Zach Jones, Parker and Keryluk.

Verona started out the second period working the puck around the zone on the power play before defensive point man, Keryluk, rifled a pass to Zach Jones, who one-timed the puck in the back door and give the Wildcats a 2-1 lead 38 seconds into the period.

“The older kids all lead by example,” Zach Jones said of the three veterans’ roles on a roster that includes nine sophomores and nine freshmen. “I think we’ve been doing a good job of that, and tonight as well.”

Middleton had four power plays in the period but was unable to score.

Verona, ranked fourth on the WisconsinPrepHockey state poll, travels to Madison Ice Arena to face the second-place Regents at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3.

Cole Paskus leads West with nine goals and six assists, while goaltender Henry Cutting has a .910 save percentage between the pipes.

Jones has paced the Wildcats’ offense with 10 goals, including three on the power play, to go along with nine assists. Jon Fiala, as well as freshmen Alex Jones and Nathan Cleghorn have all successfully rotated in goal.

The Wildcats face Middleton and Madison West in back-to-back games on Jan. 31 and Feb. 2 inside Verona’s Eagles Nest Ice Arena.

Verona’s only loss so far this season came in the team’s season debut, when the Wildcats fell at third-ranked Stevens Point. Notre Dame (7-0) and Fond du Lac (10-0) sit atop the state rankings.

Kiwanis Hockey Festival

Verona scored four-first period goals in the opening round of the Kiwanis Hockey Festival in Rochester, Minn., Dec. 28, and held on for a 5-4 win over the WSFLG Blizzard Thursday inside the Graham Arena.

Zach Jones netted a hat trick in the win. Harry Seid and Brodie Roehrig also scored, while Phillipe Fromberger had two assists. Fiala made 17 saves for the win.

Verona advanced to the championship game on Saturday with a 5-1 win over New Ulm (Minn.) Friday.