The University School boys’ hockey team defeated the Brookfield/Catholic Memorial co-op 4-1 in the opening round of the Joe Raymond Memorial Holiday Classic Tournament at the Nagawaukee Ice Arena in Delafield Thursday evening.

The game was a Classic Eight Conference game as well as part of the round-robin tournament. The Wildcats out shot the Stars 32-23 in the hotly contested match and took advantage of three rebounds to tally their first three goals.  Freshman Nick Epperson scored twice and sophomores Jake Kandel and Tommy Ferrara each scored once for USM. As usual, USM’s senior goaltender Bryan Botcher helped the Wildcats’ cause by turning aside 22 of the 23 shots that the Stars put on net.

USM coach Tim Quinn said, “After breaking for the holidays and then having to play a game without a practice, I expected things to be a bit sloppy, and they were. Nevertheless, we came out with a W. We won a game against a regional opponent, and we won our first conference game as a member of the Classic Eight Conference, so I am pleased. The line of Duncan Brown, Jake Kandel, and Nick Epperson really had it going tonight as they factored in on all four goals.  We also got some timely saves from Bryan Botcher, and Jerzey Judge had a strong game on defense. Hopefully we will build on this win and have an even better effort tomorrow against Kettle Moraine.”

USM scored the game’s first goal early in the first period. Junior Ben Hrabak got the puck in the Brookfield zone and sent it to Vadim Sukhanov at the left point.  Sukhanov blistered a shot on JJ Murnane, the Stars’ goalie. USM sophomore Jake Kandel was parked like a police surveillance van on the left side of the net. The rebound flew to the right of the net, Kandel rapidly moved across the crease to get his stick on the puck. He fell over the goalie, but as he was falling, Kandel had the presence of mind to push the puck into the open net for the goal at 3:23.

The Wildcats made it 2-0 midway through the first period.  On a rush the Brookfield zone, Kandel moved the puck to senior Duncan Brown who was moving down the slot. Brown tipped it into Murnane’s pads.  The puck ricocheted back into slot to Epperson who was trailing the play.  Epperson immediately shot it over the toppling goalie at 8:59.

The Stars made the score closer at the end of a power play late in the first period. Riley Keays sent the puck to John Rymaszewski behind the USM net. Rymaszewski stepped out and passed the puck to Nate Mikelonis who was skating down the slot from the point.  Mikelonis one-timed a high shot inside the post at 14:35.

In the second period Botcher stopped a breakaway as his teammates hustled back.  Sukhanov got the loose puck and headed toward the Brookfield zone.  Epperson joined the rush. Sukhanov skated in against one defender, moved around him and shot.  Murnane made the save, but the puck bounced to Epperson like it was doing him a favor. Epperson lasered a low shot into the net at 9:49.

The Wildcats scored their final goal in the opening minute of the third period.  Forechecking in the Brookfield end, Duncan Brown gathered a loose puck along the left mid-boards.  He spotted Ferrara on the far point and passed the puck toward Ferrara as the defenseman moved in.  Ferrara one-timed a slap shot.  It flew up where you forgot you stored that crusty old catcher’s mitt for the goal at 0:40.

USM is now 5-1 and 1-0 in the conference. The Wildcats play the Kettle Moraine/Mukwonago co-op in a conference contest during the second round of the Joe Raymond Memorial Holiday Classic Tournament on Friday, December 27th at 6:00 p.m. at the Nagauwakee Ice Arena in Delafield.