After squandering an opportunity to win the title outright, the Verona boys hockey team won a pair of Big Eight Conference games last week, to giving themselves a chance to earn a share of the title Thursday in Middleton. 

“Winning conference and putting a banner on the wall is a goal every year,” Wildcats head coach Joel Marshall said. “The ultimate goal (state) is still a couple weeks away, but this goal is right in front of us.”

Verona 2, Sun Prairie 0

Graham Sticha scored a power-play goal Friday inside the Verona Ice Arena less than four minutes into the first period and it was all that Wildcats needed.

Zach Ritter added an even-strength insurance goal 12 minutes into the third period and senior Nathan Cleghorn posted 25 saves for a 2-0 Big Eight Conference shutout. It was Cleghorn’s first shutout of the season.

Defenseman Zach Lanz recorded his first point since sustaining an injury against Middleton, helping set up Ritter’s goal.

Verona improved to 13-8-1 overall and 9-3-0 in the Big Eight with the victory.

Max Hankard, Jake Keyes and Josh Novotny also picked up assists.

Sam Dunn stopped 37 of 39 shots on goal for the Cardinals, who fell to with the loss.

Verona 6, Beloit Memorial 1 

The Wildcats hopes of earning a share of the Big Eight Conference title with Middleton first hinged on Tuesday’s game against Beloit Memorial. 

Verona senior goaltender Alex Jones only needed 19 saves to earn the win as his offensive ranked up plenty of offense in a 6-1 victory over the Purple Knights.

“It hasn’t really hit me yet that tonight was my final regular season game ever in Verona. I think that will start setting in a little tonight when we are upstairs celebrating,” Jones said.

Junior Jacob Keyes scored twice and assisted on another, while Jeff Bishop, Noah Mauer and Lanz all had a goal and assist.

The Wildcats scored one powerplay goal in the first period and two more in the second off deflections in front.

Verona (14-8-0, 10-3-0) travels to Capitol Ice Arena at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, for the Big Eight Conference finale against Middleton (19-3-0, 11-2-0).

“I think the biggest thing for us is just going to be getting off to quick start. It’s something struggled with early in the season and against them the first time,” Jones said.

Playoffs

The Wildcats also found out a little about their playoff fate last weekend, earning a No. 4 seed and a first-round bye. Verona hosts either the 12th-seeded Madison La Follette/East co-op of fifth-seeded Sun Prairie at 7 p.m. Thursday.