All the pieces are there, now it’s time for the Sun Prairie boys hockey team to complete the puzzle.

The Cardinals were knocking on the door to a 2018 WIAA State Tournament return, going 19-6-1 overall while earning a runner-up finish (11-3-0) in the Big Eight Conference before suffering a 5-3 loss to Madison Edgewood in the sectional semifinals.

But with five All-Big Eight Conference selections returning, it could be a year to remember as the Cardinals have all the makings of a WIAA State Tournament team.

Leading the way is senior Benett Halbleib, a first-team selection in 2017-18.

Halbleib, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound forward, was an enforcer on both ends of the ice last season. Halbleib led the Cardinals in both goals scored (31) and points (64), assisting on 33 goals while landing a team-leading 32 shots on goal.

Halbleib was a Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association (WHCA) All-State honorable mention selection.

Slideshow photo courtesy Sun Prairie Star file photo