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Epperson's late goal leads USM boys past Hayward

By Tom Geilfuss, USM Asst. Coach, 01/23/16, 11:15AM CST

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Schmidt makes 28 saves in winning effort

Nick Epperson’s goal late in the third period gave the University School boys’ hockey team a 2-1 victory over Hayward in the opening round of the Pines Hockey Classic Tournament played Friday at The Eagle River Sports Arena in Eagle River.

The non-conference game was filled with penalties.  The Wildcats took nine in the game, while Hayward was assessed for six.  The consequence was a game that had little flow, like a dried summer creek.  The shot totals demonstrated that the game was close.  Brendan Thomas, the Hurricanes’ goalie stopped 24 of the 26 shots by USM.  Mac Schmidt, USM’s goaltender made 28 saves.  Grant Bartz scored Hayward’s goal.  Epperson and Jerzey Judge tallied for the Wildcats.

“Survival tonight,” said Jason Woods, USM’s head coach.  “That's really all I can say.  We took too many penalties and made too many mistakes.  Still, you have to find a way, and we got it done.  We’ll take the win and move on.  We will need to be better in the championship tomorrow against Mosinee.”

There was no scoring in a penalty filled opening period.  Hayward scored a power play goal in the first minute of the second.  The Hurricanes’ set up in the USM zone and moved the puck.  It went to Ethan Wolfe on the right mid-boards.  Wolfe centered it to Chase Loder in the low slot.  Loder shot.  The puck caromed to Kaaden Bergman who fired it again.  Schmidt made the second save as well, but the rebound then went to Bartz in the left circle, and he fired it into the net at 0:35.

USM tied the score late in the second period.  On a breakout from the USM zone, Brandon McGill skated the puck into the Hayward zone along the left boards.  He came to a stop, turned and passed treh puck across ice to Judge who was speeding into the slot.  Judge one-timed a high shot past Thomas at 13:52.

The action stayed intense and as the minutes ticked away in the third period, it was clear that the next goal could be the winner.  It was.

Forechecking behind the Hayward net, McGill won a battle for the puck and knocked it to Logan Geisness in the right circle.  Geisness tipped it to Epperson who was skating past.  Epperson fired and scored at 13:17 of the third period.

Despite a furious effort by the Hurricanes, the Wildcats were able to hold on in the final minutes and grab the win.

USM is now 11-4-2. The Wildcats play Mosinee in the tournament championship game at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 23rd at The Eagle River Sports Arena in Eagle River.