In a quickly moving first period Middleton would strike with the speed of Brett Skibba. Skibba took the puck off a faceoff win on the penalty kill and went down the right wall, blowing past the defense to beat goalie Mitch Horras low for a 1-0 lead.

 

But the Warriors countered quickly. While on the same power play Jason Ford slapped the puck behind goalie Eric Smith for a tie game after 1 period at 1 apiece.

 

Waunakee took their only lead early in the second period on a goal by Eric Behrend. Behrend was all alone by the post to tap in a rebound for the lead. Middleton tied it up on a unassisted goal by  Adam DeRosa. DeRosa was able to send a wrister from the right circle glove side for a 2-2 tie after 2 periods.

 

34 minutes had decided nothing.

 

After both teams had power plays early in the third period, Middleton finally got the game winner with just over 6 minutes left. Going back 2 on 2, Nick Bybee put a shot on goal. With the rebound coming straight back out, Brandon Thayer buried the puck in the back of the net for the winner. Waunakee with just over 3 minutes left got a 5 on 3 power play, but the Cardinal defense deinied the Warriors the tie, and maybe a trip to State. Goalie Eric Smith of Middleton ended with 24 saves, while Mitch Horras had 34 stops. Middleton moves on to play the winner of Cedarburg/Fondy Springs Thursday in Quarterfinal action.