Semi-Final Game 1 – Central Wisconsin Storm (22-4-1) vs Bay Area Ice Bears (24-1-0)
Storm Defender, Marissa Matushak
Central Wisconsin Storm
Scoring - Katelynn Schilling 4g, 3a; Elizabeth Bauer 0g, 6a; Alex Guenther 1g, 5a; Kelly Knetter 3g, 3a; Katelyn Ramthun 2g, 3a; Maggie Plaza 2g, 2a; Megan Marlowe 2g, 1a; Marissa Matushak 1g, 2a; Ashley Zacho 0g, 3a; Savannah Felch 2g, 1a; Taylor Treu 0g, 2a; Emily Bauer 0g, 2a; Isabelle Uhl-Chmiel 0g, 2a; Arielle Reidel 1g, 1a; Teagen Tretter 1g, 0a; Michaela Zingler 1g, 0a and Jamie Henrickson 1g, 0a
Goaltending - Lisa Fowle (126 minutes) 18 saves on 18 shots; Renee Hosler (27 minutes) 2 saves on 2 shots.
The Storm has outscored their opponents 21-0 in the playoffs. They have outshot their opponents 140 to 20 over the 3 games. Central Wisconsin has converted on 3 of 9 power play opportunities, while they have killed off 4 penalties.
Ice Bears Forward, Kelsey Rafferty
Bay Area Ice Bears
Scoring - Kelsey Rafferty 5g, 2a; Nicole Niemi 1g, 5a; Courtney Wittig 2g, 3a; Johanna Cano 2g, 2a; Tanya Niemi 1g, 3a; Megan Saari 3g, 0a; Morgan Zirbel 0g, 3a; Miranda Dreckschmidt 0g, 2a; Megan Call 0g 1a; Kira Gunville 0g, 1a; Paige Goodwin 0g, 1a; Allie Hartter 1g, 0a; Jackie Spencer 1g, 0a and Christa Makela 1g, 0a
Goaltending - Lindsey Strainis (123 minutes 13 seconds) 37 saves on 41 shots for an .846 save percentage and 1.50 goals against average. Audrie Murphy (34 minutes) 3 saves on 3 shots
The Bay Area Ice Bears have outscored their opponents 17-4 in the playoffs. The Ice Bears have outshot their opponents 127 to 44 during the playoffs. They have had 5 power play opportunities, but have been unable to convert. Their penalty kill has been at 50%.
This will be the third match-up of the #1 Bay Area Ice Bears and #2 Central Wisconsin Storm. They split their first two games with each team winning on their home ice. The Storm won their first meeting 4-1 on November 29th. It was the fourth game of the season for the Storm and the first game of the season for the Bay Area Ice Bears. Their second meeting was on February 1st and the Ice Bears won the game 3-2 in overtime. It was the 17th win in what has grown into a 24 game winning streak.
This will be the 7th straight trip to the WIAA State semi-finals for the Central Wisconsin Storm. The Ice Bears are making their 2nd trip and first since their inaugural season in 2010. The Ice Bears lost to St. Croix Valley Fusion in the championship game their previous trip.
Semi-Final Game 2 – St. Croix Valley Fusion (18-8-1) vs Onalaska Hilltoppers (18-7-0)
Fusion Goalie, Carlie Christensen
St. Croix Valley Fusion
Scoring - Maddie Rowe 2g, 5a; Andrea Eliason 4g, 1a; Hanna Zevenbergen 3g, 1a; Emma VanDell 0g 3a; Allie Demotts 2g, 1a; Courtney Kempf 0g, 2a; Tori Forseth 0g 1a and Taylor Magill 0g 1a;
Goaltending - Carlie Christensen (153 minutes) 75 saves out of 76 shots on goal for a .987 save percentage and a 0.33 goals against average.
The Fusion have outscored their opponents 11-1 over the playoffs, and have outshot their opponents 89 to 76. St. Croix Valley have converted on 5 of 13 power play opportunities and have killed off 10 penalties.
Hilltoppers Forward, Theresa Knuston
Onalaska Hilltoppers
Scoring - Theresa Knutson 7g, 6a; Mackenzie Steinfadt 3g, 3a; Jacyn Reeves 2g, 2a; Jamie Weilandt 2g, 3a; Kyla Bantle 1g, 3a; Chazlyn Anderson 2g, 2a; Taylor Monroe 3g, 0a; Lucy Anderholm 1g, 2a; Mariah Nichols 1g, 1a; Kianna Kalmes 0g, 2a; Santana Hanson 2g, 0a; Kelsey Seiler 0g, 2a; Abbey Hoins 0g, 1a and Morgan Gargaro 0g, 1a
Goaltending - Jeanalyn Schindler (135 minutes 10 seconds) 44 saves on 48 shots for a .917 save percentage and a 1.51 goals against average. Alli Christenson (17 minutes 50 seconds) 1 save on 1 shot
Onalaska has outscored their opponents 24-4 and have outshot their opponents 154 to 49. The Hilltoppers have killed off three penalties during the playoffs. Onalaska has scored 1 power play goal on 9 opportunities.
This will be the second time the Fusion and Hilltoppers have played this season. Onalaska won the last meeting on December 5th at home 5-4 in overtime. The game went back and forth throughout regulation. The Fusion won the first period 2-1, while Onalaska won the second period 2-1 to have the game tied at 3 after two periods. Both teams scored 1 goal in the third period within the first 5 minutes 16 seconds. Neither team could score in the final 11 minutes 44 seconds of regulation. The Hilltoppers scored the winning goal 41 seconds into overtime.
This will be the 4th time the Fusion have made the trip to Madison and have won the state title the 3 previous trips. Onalaska is making their 9th trip to the Mad City and will try to bring home their first state championship.
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