The Central Wisconsin Storm defeated the Bay Area Ice Bears in overtime to claim the 2017 WIAA Girls Hockey Championship. Last year two #2 seeds and two #1 seeds made it through the sectionals to play at the Alliant Energy Center. All three games in Madison were determined by 1 goal.

#6 Superior vs #3 St. Croix Valley, February 15 at 5:30 PM
The first playoff game in sectional one will see #6 Superior Spartans travel to River Falls to play #3 St. Croix Valley Fusion at the Wildcat Center.

The Spartans are led by senior Addie Young with 24 goals and 15 assists. Alee Milankovich-Gray, a senior, is second on the team with 14 goals and 14 assists. Katrina Casper leads the team in the net with 628 minute 5 seconds and a 4.06 goals against average.

Kamryn Jacobs leads the Fusion with 24 goals and 17 assists. Anna Albrightson is second on the team with 32 points (16 goals, 16 assists). Olivia Klund logged the majority of time in the net with a 3.37 goals against average.

This will be the third meeting this season between the two teams and the rubber match. Superior won their game against the Fusion at Hartmeyer Ice Arena 5-4. The game winner was scored with 21 seconds remaining in regulation by Brooklyn Burger with an assist from Isabel Franta. Nine days later they played again, this time at the Wildcat Center. The Fusion escaped with a 4-3 victory.

#5 Western Wisconsin vs #4 Hayward, February 15 at 7:00 PM

Western Wisconsin is led by Jade Williams with 33 points (24 goals, 9 assists). Bailey Williams was second on the team with 9 goals and 16 assists. Catherine Magler led the team for minutes in goal with a 3.53 GAA.

Hayward’s Lauren Donnellan was first on the Hurricanes with 14 goals and 16 assists. Sarah Pearson was next with 14 goals and 7 assists. Emma Quimby had a .917 save percentage and 2.48 GAA for Hayward.

This is the third game between Western Wisconsin and Hayward. The Hurricanes won both of the previous meetings with the most recent game having been played on February 10th. Hayward won that game 6-0.

#7 Chippewa Falls/Menomonie vs #2 ECA Stars, February 16 at 5:00 PM

Kaylee Frenette was first on CFM with 22 goals and 21 assists. Second on the team was Sidney Polzin with 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists). Haley Frank minded the net for the Cardinals with a .890 save percentage and GAA of 4.01.

ECA’s Abigail Stow and Ava Kison were 1 and 2 in total points for the Stars. Stow had 76 points (39 goals, 37 assists), while Kison had 65 points (36 goals, 29 assists). Charlotte Akervik returned late in the season to help add further strength to the defense. Freshman Naomi Stow has been spectacular in goal with .914 save percentage and 1.48 GAA.

The Stars won both meetings this season against CFM.

SECTIONAL SEMI-FINALS, Tuesday February 20th

#1 Hudson vs TBD

Hudson will host the winner of the Western Wisconsin/Hayward game on Tuesday, February 20th. Defenseman Anna Wilgren led the Raiders with 36 goals and 28 assists. Freshman Nikki Olund was second on the team with 28 points (15 goals, 13 assists). Hudson’s Cassie Schultz is one of the top goaltenders in the state with a .917 save percentage and 1.36 GAA.

Second Semi-final Participants TBD

The winner of #3 St. Croix Valley vs #6 Superior will play the winner of #2 ECA Stars vs #7 Chippewa Falls/Menomonie.

#5 Northland Pines Eagles vs #4 Lakeland Thunderbirds, February 16 at 7:00 PM

This will be the fifth meeting between the Eagles and Thunderbirds this season. Lakeland has won 3 of 4 by an average of 3 goals.

Cameron Ramesh leads the Eagles with 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists). Right behind her with 20 points (13 goals, 7 assists) is Allie Kiefer. Piper Snedden has been the lone goaltender for Northland Pines this season with a 4.50 GAA and an .813 save percentage.

The Thunderbirds were led by Margaret Wohlleber with 33 points (21 goals, 12 assists). Asucena Boyer was second with 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists). Anna Maulson and Mariah Lear split time in goal this season. Maulson had an .888 save percentage with a 2.86 GAA, while Lear had a 2.62 GAA and an .874 save percentage.

#3 Fox Cities Stars vs #6 Northern Edge, February 16 at 5:30 PM

This will be the lone meeting between the Stars and Northern Edge this season.

Lauryn Hull leads the Stars with 54 points (25 goals, 29 assists). Madelynn Jablonski is second with 52 points (24 goals, 28 assists). Hattie Berndt led the team in goal with a 2.83 GAA and an .872 save percentage.

The Edge were led by Payton Bunnell with 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists). Madi Losch was second with 23 points (17 goals, 6 assists). Alicia Turunen was in goal the majority of the time. She posted an .898 save percentage and a 3.50 GAA.

#7 Medford Raiders vs #2 Central Wisconsin Storm, February 15 at 5:00 PM

This will be the only time the Storm and Raiders have met this season. The Storm struggled a little at the beginning of the season, but true to form improved throughout the year. They steadily moved up the top ten list and are playing their best hockey at this time of the year.

Emily Schafer led the Raiders with 13 goals and 2 assists this season. Joelle Zenner was second on the team with 1 goal and 4 assists. Liz Brandner played over 740 minutes in goal this season and posted an .836 save percentage.

Chloe Westberg was solid in goal all season. She posted a .910 save percentage and a 1.93 GAA. Eden Gruber led the Storm with 23 points (17 goals, 6 assists). Emelia Edmondson was second with 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists).

SECTIONAL SEMI-FINALS, Tuesday February 20th

#1 Wisconsin Valley Union vs TBD

Wisconsin Valley Union will host the winner of the Northland Pines/Lakeland game. Markie Ash led the Union with 45 points (26 goals, 19 assists). Kendra Robinson was second with 38 points (20 goals, 18 assists). Pistol Cowden led the Union with a 1.76 GAA and a .927 save percentage.

Second Semi-final Participants TBD

The winner of #3 Fox Cities Stars vs #6 Northern Edge will play the winner of #7 Medford Raiders vs #2 Central Wisconsin Storm.

The only sectional in which all of the teams will play a first round game.

#1 Rock County Fury host #8 Badger Lightning, February 15 at 7:00 PM

The Fury lost one conference game this season, which was their only loss to a team in sectional three also. Badger Lightning had an extremely rough season in which they were winless, but they were a team that never quit trying throughout the year.

The Fury were led by Maggy Henschler with 48 points (26 goals, 22 assists). Dani Heitsman was second with 16 goals and 17 assists. McKaylie Buescher was first in the state for Goals Against Average with 1.30 and second in save percentage at .936.

The Badger Lightning battled through the season with 11 players (10 skaters and 1 goalie). Bailey Babcock led the Badger Lightning with 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists). Kaylee Engel was second in points with 5 goals and 5 assists. Natalie Buss took on the tough task of being a high school goaltender and faced 690 shots on the season.

#5 Metro Lynx at #4 Onalaska Hilltoppers, February 16 at 7:00 PM

The Hilltoppers topped the Lynx 3-1 on November 25th this season.

The Lynx are led by Sierra Berg with 14 goals and 9 assists. Abby Conybear is second on the team with 18 points (13 goals, 5 assists). Gwen Parker and Sydney McKersie split time in goal this season. Parker had a 3.26 GAA and .872 save percentage, while McKersie had a save percentage of .860 and GAA of 3.14.

Kaley Manglitz had 33 points (17 goals, 16 assists) to lead the Hilltoppers. Jaidyn Groshek was second with 12 goals and 15 assists. Claire Bekkum had an .887 save percentage and 3.34 GAA for Onalaska.

#3 Cap City Cougars host #6 Viroqua Blackhawks, February 15 at 5:30 PM

The Cougars and Blackhawks met twice this year in conference play with Cap City winning both games. However, the last game on January 27th in Viroqua was a 1-0 final.

Defenseman Margo Thousand led the team in points with 17 goals and 21 assists. Colleen Milligan was second with 8 goals and 24 assists. Amanda Bauer led the team in goals with 20. Taylor Thornton had a .902 save percentage and 1.82 GAA.

The Blackhawks are led by Emma Kolden with 16 goals and 9 assists. Maia Barendregt is second with 9 goals and 11 assists. Ivy Shonka had a solid season in net with a 2.28 GAA and .923 save percentage.

#7 Stoughton Icebergs at #2 Black River Falls Tigers, February 15 at 7:00 PM

Black River Falls could be the team that skated under the radar for most of the season. However, they made their presence felt on numerous occasions on their way to compile a 15-7-1 record. The Icebergs fell to Black River Falls in their only meeting of the season.

The Icebergs’ Brynn Weaver led the team in points and goals (12 points (8 goals, 4 assists)). Aeryn Olson and Taylor Nisius were tied with 8 points on the team. McKenzie Nisius finished the season with a .921 save percentage and a 2.98 GAA.

Khloe Spors led the Tigers with 27 goals and 7 assists. Baileigh Johnson was second with 22 points (8 goals, 14 assists). Josie Mathison led the state with a .936 save percentage and was fifth in GAA at 1.82.

#5 Arrowhead Warhawks vs #4 Brookfield Glacier, February 16 at 5: 00 PM

Arrowhead and Brookfield have played three times this season with the Warhawks claiming two victories.

Mary Kremer led Arrowhead with 40 points (18 goals, 22 assists). Megan Walmer was second on the team with 18 goals and 10 assists. Emily Nettesheim led the team with a .909 save percentage and 2.89 GAA.

Hadley Malcolmson led Brookfield and the state in goals with 50. She was second in the state in total points with 68. Zoe Sternberg was second on Brookfield in points with 36 (20 goals, 16 assists). Kristin Woodcock had a 4.64 GAA and .857 save percentage for the Glacier.

#3 Bay Area Ice Bears host #6 Lakeshore Lightning, February 15 at 7:45 PM

The Ice Bears won both match-ups against Lakeshore 7-1 and 6-1.

Katerina Zrnova led the Ice Bears with 30 points (17 goals, 13 assists). Mia Dunning was second with 13 goals and 13 assists. Delaney Butterfield had an .883 save percentage and 3.19 GAA.

Kiia Paljakka led the Lightning with 35 points (25 goals, 10 assists). Anna Gontarski was second with 33 points (17 goals, 16 assists). Kami McCardle finished the season with a 4.38 GAA and .859 save percentage.

#7 Appleton United at #2 Warbirds/Beaver Dam Co-op, February 15 at 8:00 PM

The Warbirds/Beaver Dam Co-op won both meetings against the United this season.

Emily Fischer was the main goaltender for the United and compiled a .875 save percentage with a 4.22 GAA. Annika Horman leads the United with 44 points (33 goals, 11 assists). Liisa  Cramer was second on the team with 13 goals and 7 assists.

Alyssa Heim’s 51 points (31 goals, 20 assists) led the Warbirds/Beaver Dam Co-op. Hattie Verstegen was second with 49 points (23 goals, 26 assists). Abby Okon led the goaltending corp with an .891 save percentage and 2.70 GAA.

SECTIONAL SEMI-FINALS, Tuesday February 20th

#1 USM Wildcats vs TBD

USM will host the winner of the Arrowhead/Brookfield game on Tuesday, February 20th. Megan McPike led the Wildcats with 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists). Lexie Epperson was second on the team with 18 points (8 goals, 10 assists). Juliana Strother anchored the goaltending responsibilities for USM. She posted an .885 save percentage and 2.16 GAA.

Second Semi-finals Participants TBD

The winner of #3 Bay Area Ice Bears vs #6 Lakeshore Lightning will play the winner of #7 Appleton United vs #2 Warbirds/Beaver Dam Co-op.