Middleton gets two power play goals to down Cedarburg

Listen Here to
Our Live Game
Broadcast on
UStream.tv

Download the Mobile App

Get the Mobile viewer for your iPhone, Android, or Windows Phones. Launch the App, then search for "wiph".

Cedarburg vs. Middleton, First Period

State Tournament Quarterfinal Two

Cedarburg vs. Middleton, Second Period

State Tournament Quarterfinal Two

Cedarburg vs. Middleton, Third Period

State Tournament Quarterfinal Two

Brett Skibba scored two power play goals in a span of 2:31 in the second period and that was just enough as Middleton edged newcomer Cedarburg 2-1 in the second quarterfinal game on Thursday at the Alliant Energy Center.

The first period was scoreless as the Cardinals outshot the Bulldogs 13-6 in the stanza.

The speed of Skibba and linemate Todd Koritzinsky was evident in the middle period as the Cards took advantage of two power plays.

With just nine seconds left on the man advantage, Koritzinsky zipped a pass from the left boards to Skibba at the left point. The speedy forward unleashed a slapper that went through traffic and past Bulldog goalie Tyler Jansen to give Middleton a 1-0 lead at the 8:00 mark. Erik Hurd also received an assist.

Two and one-half minutes later while on another power play, Skibba took a short pass from Koritzinsky in the defensive zone and set sail down the right side. At the right offensive face-off dot, Skibba cut toward the slot and slipped a shot past Jansen's left pad for a 2-0 lead.

The period ended with that same two goal lead and once again the Cards outshot Cedarburg 11-9.

The Bulldogs played tenaciously in the third and cut the lead to 2-1 with 3:33 left.

While on the power play, Mitchell Gall put home a rebound, with assists going to Danny Valoe and Nick Boehnlein.

The Bulldogs pulled Jansen with just over one minute remaining for an extra attacker, but were unable to score.

Jansen played well for Cedarburg, stopping 27 shots. On the other end, Middleton's Eric Smith had 18 saves in the winning effort.

Preview by Bill Berg Jr

It'll be two wildly different tales on Thursday in the second game of the WIAA State Boys High School Hockey Tournament.

Fifth-ranked Middleton (19-4-1) takes on honorable mention Cedarburg (15-10-2) at around 2:30 on Thursday. The Cardinals of Middleton come to the tournament as the Big Eight conference champions, and a Top Ten team nearly all season.

Cedarburg comes to their first state tournament after having split their conference with Homestead, and winning two big upsets over University School of Milwaukee and St. Mary's Springs of Fond du Lac in the sectionals.

The Bulldogs will have to overcome a powerhouse Middleton team. The Cardinals average nearly six goals per game while giving up 1.86 per contest. The Bulldogs score 4 per game, while giving up 3.71.

The Cardinals put up 33 shots per game while allowing a just 17 in return. The Bulldogs also put up an impressive 29 shots per contest , but allow 27 back in return.

Middleton has one forward over the magical 40 point mark this season - Todd Koritzinsky put up 51 points (24g, 27a). But don't let that fool you, the team can score. Brett Skibba (19g, 15a), Cam Brown (17g, 11a), Adam DeRosa (12g, 12a) and Scott Carey (13g, 8a) all averaged better than a point a game this season.

For the Bulldogs, Freddie West lead with 43 points (24g, 19a) and was followed closely by Olafs Jurenko (16g, 17a), Danny Valoe (17g, 12a), Nick Boenhlein (4g, 21a) and Mitchell Gall (11g, 10a) all at more than a point per game.

Middleton's defense starts at Sean Murphy, who put up an impressive 4 goals and 11 assists from the blue line. Jake Bunz (1g, 9a) and Scott Berthiaume (1g, 8g) are also players to watch.

Cedarburg's defenders stay home and don't spend a lot of time in on the scoring action, preferring to keep the puck out of the net.

In goal, Eric Smith (1.85 GAA, .928 save %) picked up three shutouts for the Cardinals en route to being a top ten goalie this season. Devin Kaschinske will serve as the back-up.

Cedarburg's Tyler Jansen (3.36 GAA, .879 save %) will have to be on his toes against the high powered Middleton offense. He should be up to the task as his playoff numbers are better than those of the regular season at 3.00 GAA and .905 save %. Mark Lingofelt will serve as the backup.

Cedarburg is one of the bigger surprises of the playoffs and flew under the radar through most of our Wisconsin Prep Hockey coverage.

To win the game, Cedarburg is going to have to come out of the gate swinging and get an early lead. If they fall behind to Middleton, catching up will be a tough task.

Its always a pleasure to see a new face at the Alliant Energy Center.