Read another recap
in the Wisconsin State Journal. There are some great pics from the game there.
Some things you just can't explain, especially when it comes to playoff hockey. Not many puck pundits predicted the pounding of Monona Grove by the Warriors. Fewer 'experts' gave Waunakee much shot at knocking off perennial state tourney contender Madison Edgewood last Tuesday.
With their Zamboni fixed and both teams at full strength, the Madison Ice Arena soon filled up with Crusader and Warrior fans in anticipation of the rematch for the right to play in the Section 6 finals.
Edgewood opened up the scoring by going up 2-0 three minutes into the second period. Waunakee battled back and with 3:39 left in the second period it was senior Derek Straus on a nifty pass from linemate Jason Ford that put Waunakee back in the game 2-1 going into the final 17 minutes of regulation.
Playoffs produce unlikely heros who happen to be in the right place at the right time to make the right play. Such is the case for sophomore forward Blake Anderson, who tingled the twine just over 6 mnutes into the period to tie the game at 2-2. With the lower ceiling and close knit quarters, the decible meter at MIA red-lined as the fans erupted. But not so fast my friend...there's still some game to go.
After the Crusaders answered with their third goal of the night, it was senior forward Jay Croop with help from Anderson who gave the fans another reason to cheer, and re-tied the game at 3-3. Then on a rare Waunakee power play, Croop was again in the right place at the pefect time and slap in the go ahead score to make it 4-3.
Edgewood clearly didn't have this sort of ending in mind for their ten seniors. Warrior leading scorer Straus notched his second goal of the game with just 88 seconds remaining, and all Edgewood could do was battle frantically and harmlessley along the boards until the final horn. Junior goalie Mitch Horras was stellar, and turned away 38 Crusader shots, including 13 in the third period.
Final score, Waunakee 5, Madison Edgewood 3. For the second time in one season the Warriors have toppled the mighty Crusaders.
But the Road Warriors still have one more punch to get in their ticket to the Coliseum and the State Tourney. On Friday at 8 p.m., Waunakee faces former Capital Ice neighbor Middleton for the right to play in the State Hockey Tournament.
For those wondering about the 'historical significance' of this run, we're not exactly certain, but as best as this writer can surmise, this would only be the second time in Warrior hockey history to get to the Sectional Finals. Just 51 minutes away from the Big Dance...
