By Jim den Hollander 

Editor/Publisher 

Saukhockey.info 

The Baraboo/Portage Thunderbirds will enter the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) fray Saturday (Nov. 27) evening with a home game at Pierce Park Pavilion against the Middleton Cardinals. 

Thunderbirds will be entering play as one of six teams in the new Badger West Conference. The Middleton Cardinals from the Big Eight Conference have already played a pair of games, dropping a 4-3 season opening defeat to the Waunakee Warriors at the Ice Pond in Waunakee last Saturday and defeating Monroe Cheesemakers from the Badger West 8-3 at Bob Suter Capitol Ice in Middleton. 

Thunderbirds have played the Cardinals twice in the past, both times in 2015 so it has been a while since they have tangled in regular season action. T-birds split the pair that season with a 5-3 win and loss. 

Out of the gate quick for the Cardinals are three players with four points apiece – Sophomore Vince Kalscheur has four goals and sophomore Brady Engelkes has three goals and assist while senior Ryan Inman has put up a goal and three helpers. 

Game time on Saturday is set for 7 p.m.