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Old Abes slip past Storm in 2-1 thriller

By Michael Trzinski, 03/01/13, 2:15PM CST

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UPDATED WITH GAME STORY AND PICS


Jacob Bresser scored early in the third period for the game-winner as Eau Claire Memorial squeaked past Whitefish Bay (WNS Storm) 2-1 in state quarterfinal action Thursday at the Clamshell (AKA Alliant Energy Center).

The early standout in the game was WNS goalie Sean Leahy, who made at least two top quality saves in the first few minutes alone. 

Midway through the period, Player of the Year finalist Thomas Aiken ripped a shot just wide left for WNS and the contest would remain scoreless for the rest of the period. The Storm held a 13-9 shot edge in the period.

Just over four minutes into the second, Charley Graaskamp gave the Old Abes the lead when he grabbed a rebound, skated behind the net, and snuck it past Leahy at the far post. Kadin Machusak and Bresser received helpers on the play.

Aiken would show why he is one of the top players in the state with a power play goal that was all Aiken. He grabbed a loose puck in the NZ and skated to the top of the right circle before unleashing a dart that beat ECM goalie Alex Geving high on the blocker side to tie the game at one.

Two minutes later, the Storm almost took the lead, but Drew Kneisel's re-direct of a point shot missed just wide right.

WNS led in shots in the second, 8-6.

Bresser made it 2-1 just 1:16 into the final period with his goal from the right dot.

Just 20 seconds later, an apparent ECM goal was waived off because the net had been knocked off its pegs.

Each team had a power play opportunity in the middle of the period but failed to convert.

Leahy would come off with a minute to go for the extra skater, but the horn sounded on a 2-1 Old Abe win.

Geving finished with 29 saves for ECM, while Leahy's outstanding game netted him 25 saves.

The Storm finished their fine season with their first trip to state and a mark of 22-5-1.

WiPH Game Summaries