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Appleton United dominates University School

By Jocelyn Monge, 03/03/16, 3:15PM CST

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Three goals for Lucas McKinnon and four assists for Michael Alfaro

Fresh off of having team captain Trenton Bliss being awarded the Player of the Year title, Appleton United advanced to the Semifinals of this year’s State Tournament with a 6-0 win over the University School of Milwaukee Wildcats in the second Quarterfinal game of the day.

Appleton United controlled much of the action in the first period of the game, leading the shot count 16-6. United tested Mac Schmidt in net for USM with shots coming from all directions around the ice.

With Logan Geisness in the penalty box for tripping and only three seconds remaining on the power play, Connor Zilisch and Erik Bargholtz set up Trenton Bliss in the slot as he spun around and put Appleton United up 1-0. A flurry of shots occurred shortly after in front of the net but they couldn’t get another goal up on the board for another four minutes.

Appleton United was quick and concise with their plays, keeping the puck in the offensive zone and when they found themselves on the power play once again, Connor Zilisch used the one man advantage to his favor. Zilisch fired the puck from the left circle right into the University School net while Michael Alfaro and Kieran Brosnan picked up assists on the play.

University School had several good chances to open the second period but couldn't get the puck past Dylan Phinney, senior goaltender for Appleton United. Lucas McKinnon picked up his first of three goals about six minutes into the period, burying the puck with assists going to Nathan Zilisch and Michael Alfaro.

McKinnon recorded his second goal, this time on a power play due to Jake Kandel’s holding minor, after grabbing the puck off of a pass from Michael Alfaro to make the score 3-0 in Appleton United’s favor. Sophomore Matthew Baker added his name to the scoresheet midway through the period, set up by Ben Thomas and Michael Alfaro at the blue line.

Lucas McKinnon completed a hat trick to close out the second period, putting the puck between the pipes and sending the game into running time. Nathan Zilisch and Keegan Gallup were credited with assists on the play.

A relatively calm third period followed the action packed middle period. Both University School of Milwaukee and Appleton United killed of a penalty in the third period but neither could add a goal to the scoresheet, ending the game at 6-0.

Dylan Phinney recorded his sixth shut out of the season as the Appleton United Co-op advances to play Eau Claire Memorial for the Semifinals. Eau Claire Memorial won 5-1 over Antigo in the opening game of the tournament.

WiPH Game Summaries