From HodagSports.com

SCHOFIELD – The top ranked Central Wisconsin Storm scored four times in the first ten minutes of the game, which proved to be the difference as the Northern Edge Girls Hockey team fell 7-0 on Thursday in a WIAA Regional Final at Greenheck Fieldhouse.

Rhinelander/Antigo got a dazzling performance from freshman Sophie Schmidt, who set a team record for saves in a playoff game with 63. The Edge, meanwhile could only generate two shots offensively.

     “I thought we started off well,” Northern Edge Coach Angel Zimmerman said after the game. “We got pressure and got into their zone within the first 30 seconds. Then after they got that first goal, it was hard to bounce back. They were really putting the pressure on in front of the net and the girls were kind of scrambling.” 

The Storm's first two goals came just 36 seconds apart as team captain Morgan Pearson found the back of the net at the 3:39 mark. Kylie Gazzolo made it 2-0 at the 4:35 mark. The Storm would added goals at 7:17 from Megan Marlowe and Pearson.

The Edge settled in in the second period, allowing just one goal. The Storm would tack on two goals in the final 10 minutes of regulation.

“As the game went on, it got better,” Zimmerman said. “Cutting off the passing angles is huge. The Storm is quite, but they know where everyone is on the ice. They're a good team and I'm sure they'll go a long way in the playoffs.”

Schmidt stopped 27 pucks in the first half alone as she finished with 63 stops in the game, beating the preivous team records for saves in a playoff game, set by Johanna Sommers with 52 against Chippewa Falls two seasons ago. For the season, Schmidt had 836 saves, 68 behind Sommers' team record of 904 set last season.

“She's done awesome this year,” Zimmerman said of Schmidt. “It was too bad that we didn't have a stronger defensive team, but it's only her second year as a goalie. She probably has the most saves for a goalie in the State. I'm very proud of how she plays.” 

The Edge finishes the season 2-19 and will have several key pieces to fill from this year's squad, including defenders Alexis Vinger, Amber Best and Krista Kautza and forward Michelle Huttunen.

“We've got a lot of work before next year and some new girls coming up,” Zimmerman says. “Hopefully, we'll develop the girls that we have for next season.” 

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BOX SCORE: Rhinelander/Antigo at Central Wisconsin – Thursday, February 17, 2011

R/A 0 0 0 – 0 
CW 4 1 2 – 7

Scoring Summary

1-3:59 CW – Morgan Pearson (Sarah Poirier)
1-4:35 CW – Kylie Gazzolo (Myranda Hayes)
1-7:17 CW – Megan Marlowe (Hayes, Gazzolo)
1-9:47 CW – Pearson (Tiffany Hladovack)
2-7:07 CW – Hayes (Claire Poirier, Sam Henrickson)
3-7:14 CW – Paige Sedlar (Marlowe)
3-9:51 CW – Pearson (Hladovack, Sedlar) PP 

Shots on Goal: R/A 2 (1-1-0); CW 70 (31-21-18)
Saves: R/A – Sophie Schmidt 63; CW – Hillary Drake 2
Penalties-Minutes: R/A 3-6; CW 1-2
Power Plays: R/A 0-1; CW 1-3

Rhinelander/Antigo (2-19-0)
Central Wisconsin (23-1-0) vs. TBA, 2/22