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Prowling under the radar

By Michael Trzinski - WiPH Staff, 01/31/16, 4:15PM CST

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West Salem is the team nobody knows

Quick, what Wisconsin boys hockey team has the longest winning streak this season?

Appleton United? Wausau West? Middleton? Antigo?

The answer: none of the above. The correct answer would be the West Salem Panthers.

In its fourth year as a program after a split from the Sparta co-op, the Panthers have put together a win skein of 19 games after an opening game loss to Mosinee back in November.

The streak is nice, but second-year coach Eric Borre has bigger plans for his Panthers and that would include playing a few post-season games.

"The streak is nice, don't get me wrong, but the way the kids have improved and grown as a team throughout the season is what our staff is most excited about," said Borre. "Every team wants to be playing their best late in the season, and we continue to progress towards that as the season has gone on."

There are pundits around the state that scoff at West Salem's record, saying the Panthers don't play 'anybody.'

In truth, they do not have the toughest schedule, but the relative youth of the program is not conducive to building a tough schedule. Most top teams want to play other top teams and usually don't like to schedule lesser opponents.

Borre echoes this sentiment.

"It takes time to improve the schedule (which has taken place every single year) and grow into a quality program from year to year.  We play most of the teams in our section - 9 of the 11 teams - and have added stronger competition with each new season.  As we continue to play well against those teams, we will continue to grow into a team that the top teams in the state want to play."

Although players like Jack Gorniak and Bailey Martin get most of the attention from the media, Borre and his squad know it takes a full team to be successful.

"We have four defensemen that will see the majority of the ice time," stated Borre. "Colton Meyer, Hunter Priebe, Ryan Beirne, and Matt Bigley each bring something different to the ice. 

"From a forward standpoint, we have three solid lines which is a huge part of our success this season. Our top scorers tend to get the recognition, but we have nine forwards that contribute to every goal we score."

In net, the Panthers have three goalies that have seen action in at least three games with much success. Adam Helgeson, Mitch Hammes, and Morgan Olver have combined for a save percentage of .925, allowing only 28 goals in 20 games with four shutouts.

"We are fortunate to have quality play from our goalies," said Borre. "It really allows the other guys on the ice to maybe take a few extra risks, knowing that we have a guy in net that is going to make a big save when we need it."

Just as the team needs all its components to make it go, so does Borre's coaching staff.

He is assisted by Bob Gorniak, Shaun Borre, and Michael Berghefer.

"Bob knows how to get the kids play strong defensively," noted Borre. "Shaun comes from the same background as I (Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln) and takes on our JV team as the head coach. Michael played with the team a couple years ago and can connect with the kids from that common experience.

"We each have something that we oversee which allows all of us to focus on that small part of the game, making sure kids are working and performing the way we want in each area."

The team will need to be playing on all cylinders next week as they host fellow WiPH honorable mention team Onalaska and recent HM Wisconsin Rapids, two teams that have both been Section 4 champions and have made the trip to Madison in March in recent years.

"There is no doubt we have a big week coming up and one that all of us have been looking forward to," commented Borre. "They are two quality opponents that are going to capitalize on mistakes that we make, so we need to play our best."

One of the advantages the Panthers have is that both games will be played at their venue, the West Salem Ice Arena, aka 'The Meat Locker.'

"The Meat Locker is a special place to call home, no doubt about that," said Borre. "It has a low ceiling, a small ice sheet, and it echoes like crazy. But the rink isn't going to win the game for us—we still need to perform at our best every single night."

A team needs to play its 'A game' every time out in February and March, and Borre is hoping to parlay that play into a possible Madison trip.

"We need to take it one game at a time and play in the moment we are in," said Borre. "We just need to keep focusing on taking things one shift at a time like we have all season."

Yes, the West Salem Panthers are prowling under the radar, but with continued success might soon find the spotlight shining on them.

 

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