The University School boys’ hockey team lost to the Kettle Moraine/Mukwonago/Oconomowoc co-op 3-1 in a Classic Eight Conference game played at the Nagawaukee Ice Arena in Delafield on Friday.

The Wildcats were unable to score until the third period, tying the game at 1-1 on a shot by Charlie Borges.  The Wildcats received eight penalties in the game. They killed all but one of the penalties.  However, 16 short-handed minutes hindered opportunities to generate a good game on offense, particularly against a solid, disciplined club like the Lasers.

After the game, USM coach Tim Quinn said, “We faced a very strong Kettle Moraine squad, and they were able to outplay us for two periods. We played better in the third and had our chances, but, unfortunately, it was too little too late, and we ran out of time.  While I thought we could have played better, I tip my cap to the KMMO squad. They're talented, hard working, and, I would say, they have a great chance of going to state.”

There was no scoring in the first period and none in the second until the 14:44 mark when Jack Cridelich skated into the USM and centered a pass to Justin Persch in the high slot.  Persch fired.  Connor Freeman gathered the loose puck behind the net, swung out to the left circle, and fired a quick shot past Mac Schmidt, USM’s goalie.

The Wildcats tied the score early in the third period.  As the Wildcats cycled in the Lasers’ zone, the puck went to Brandon McGill along the left sideboards.  McGill chipped the puck to Borges at the near point.  Borges stepped in and lined a low shot into the net at 2:59.

The Lasers scored the game winner on a power play.  Persch sent the puck to Freeman as Freeman skated into center ice.  He flew into the USM zone and circled the goal.  Freeman then passed the puck to Nick Bateson at the point and Bateson gunned a shot past Schmidt at 8:24.

The final goal of the game came at 10:30 of the third.  Allan Moutivc began the play by sending a long pass to Freeman skating into center ice.  Freeman skated down the left side.  As he neared the net he crossed a pass to Alex Manke who had zoomed to the far pipe unnoticed and unmarked.  Manke one-timed a shot past Schmidt for the goal.

USM is 8-4-1 and 3-2 in the Classic Eight Conference. The Wildcats play Monona Grove in a non-conference game on Saturday, January 10th at the Hartmeyer Ice Arena in Madison at 5:15 pm.