Coaches like to see goalies get hot as playoffs approach. And that's just what junior netminder Mitch Horras did for the Warriors as they battled the visiting Reedsburg/Wis Dells rivals for the conference crown on Friday.

Horras thwarted the visitors time and again throughout the game and ended with 29 saves in the contest. But it was the offensive end of the ice that caused Waunakee fits. Penalty-riddled play disrupted the flow of the game, and the Warriors had trouble finding their groove against a smothering RWD defense.

Senior Derek Straus tallied two goals, including a late one with under two minutes remaining in the game to bring Waunakee within one of RWD. Junior Jason Ford had two helpers along with junior defenseman Connor Scheffler and senior Eric Behrend each adding an assist.

Pulling Horras with just over a minute to play, Coach Olson put six Warriors on the ice to battle for that elusive game-tying third goal. But RWD's senior goaltender Shane Moilanen stood firm against the flurry and helped his team clinch a 3-2 victory at the Ice Pond; and securing the Badger North conference title in doing so.

The Warriors now gear up for a playoff run with two remaining home games; Thursday (2/10) against SPASH, and Saturday (2/12) against Cedarburg. All ten seniors will be honored that night and recognized for their contributions to the Waunakee hockey program.