Tough lessons for youngest RWD squad will pay off in future

By Jim den Hollander

Editor/Publisher

Saukhockey.info

The youngest competitive team in the RWD Cheavers’ stable continued its tough learning process on the weekend of Jan. 9-10 with some hard assignments on home ice against a pair of Wildcat teams. The lessons learned now will pay off in the future for the young pucksters.

The Squirt ‘B’ Cheavers dropped a tough 9-0 decision to Verona C2 Wildcats at Reedsburg Area Community Arena (RACA) in its first game and put up a stronger fight before ultimately falling 5-2 in another home contest against the Waunakee Wildcats the following day.

Busiest player in the first game was Cheavers’ goaltender Jase Uminski who faced a barrage. The lopsided score might have hidden the fact the Uminski stood tall in the crease, kicking out 30 shots along with the others that got by him.

Verona jumped into a 2-0 lead and added five more in the second along with another pair down the stretch.

Uminski stopped 13 of 15 in the opening period.

The following day, Waunakee jumped into a 2-0 first period lead before Rainier Scott’s unassisted goal cut the lead in half with just under five minutes to play in the second. The visitors added two more to extend its lead and both teams added one down the stretch.

Uminski skated out with Aria Gada getting a turn in goal and Uminski collected the third period goal for Cheavers, also unassisted.

Gada stopped 11 shots in the contest.

The losses dropped the Cheavers to 4-14-2 on the season so far.

After a game this past weekend was cancelled, the Squirts will next see action this coming weekend with a visit from the West Madison Polar Caps at RACA at 5:15 p.m. Sunday.

Back to back hat tricks for Stando

By Jim den Hollander

Editor/Publisher

Saukhockey.info

In a lead up to a key battle with Sauk Prairie, the RWD Peewee ‘B’ Cheavers put up three wins last weekend (Jan. 9-10) at Reedsburg Area Community Arena (RACA).

On Saturday, the Cheavers were visited by the West Madison Polar Caps, capturing back-to-back wins, 6-4 and 10-2 in what was technically a home-and-home series. On Sunday, before heading to Sauk Prairie Area Recreation Center (SPARC), the Cheavers entertained the West Salem Panthers, handing them a 7-1 defeat.

The first game against the Polar Caps was the closest as the Cheavers carried a 2-1 lead out of the opening period and were still up by a goal, 4-3 heading to the third.

Noah Backeberg’s second of the game with 6:34 to play was the game winner and Dayne Wagner added another just over a minute later for insurance. Andrew Stando also scored twice, both he and Backeberg collecting an assist as well and the other goal was scored by Cassidy Putz.

Olivia Renneberg picked up the win in goal, turning aside 23 shots in a game that saw RWD outshoot its opponent 32-27.

The second game saw the host Cheavers pile up a 5-0 first period cushion. The Polar Caps cut into it with a pair of unanswered second period goals, but the Cheavers responded with another four in the final frame.

Backeberg piled up another four goals for the Cheavers in the win, Andrew Stando adding three goals and an assist. Aiden Knull picked up a goal and assist in the contest with other goals for Putz and Mathew Stando. Nicholas Warneke and Wagner added assists. Renneberg kicked out 16 saves to pick up the win in goal.

A big first period carried the Cheavers again when the Panthers paid a visit Sunday as the locals owned a 5-1 cushion heading to the second, wrapping it up with unanswered single goals in both the second and final period.

Andrew Stando picked up his second straight hat trick in game, Mathew Stando, Knull and Wagner each adding a goal and assist with the other goal scored by Caydence Putz. Molly Stokes collected a pair of assists and Mason Mattson collected the win in goal, unbeaten in the final 38:42 of the contest.

Jorgenson helps power Flyers past Cheavers Peewee B’s

By Jim den Hollander

Editor/Publisher

Saukhockey.info

The Sauk Prairie Peewee ‘B’ Flyers and RWD Peewee ‘B’ Cheavers showed a potential preview to what could be a thrilling Regional match up in their meeting at Sauk Prairie Area Recreation Center (SPARC) on Sunday afternoon, the host Flyers rallying for a 2-1 win.

Dayne Wagner put the visitors up with the lone goal of the opening period, assisted by Cassidy Putz. That proved to be the only shot, of 15 to elude Flyers’ goaltender Jameson Ballweg in this contest.

The Flyers struck back in the middle period, Ryan Jorgenson connecting for the tying goal 5:07 into the period and then setting up the game winner, fired by Ethan Goodman about two minutes later.

The third period saw goaltenders facing the most shots, but Olivia Renneberg turned aside all nine shots she faced, on her way to a 29-save effort and Ballweg kicked out all eight Cheavers’ shots.

The last time these two teams met was also a single goal difference, the Flyers collecting a 6-5 win on Dec. 20 at Reedsburg Area Community Arena and they also squared off at SPARC back in late November, the Flyers capturing an 8-5 win.

Peewee 3B Regionals will be held in early February and the State Championship tournament for teams at this level will be played in Rhinelander March 13-14.