By Jim den Hollander
Editor/Publisher
Saukhockey.info
This must be a first in WIAA hockey history. The Badger Lightning varsity hockey team turned a six-game losing streak into a four-game winning streak in 24 hours this past weekend (Jan. 28-29).
The team made the trip to Beaver Dam Family Ice Center and picked up an 11-0 shutout against the host Golden Beavers Friday night.
After spending the night in Beaver Dam, the team returned to ice and collected three wins Saturday, 6-1 and 4-2 against the Medford Raiders and another shutout against the host Golden Beavers 7-0.
Lightning 11 Golden Beavers 0
Best thing about the opening contest of the weekend was probably the array of players collecting points.
The Lightning carried a 3-0 lead out of the opening period and piled on another five in the middle frame before wrapping it up with three more down the stretch.
Six different shooters scored in the contest, led by senior Signe Begalske who continued her awesome season with three goals and an assist.
Junior Kayla Capener, senior defender Carson Blosenski and first-year Kayla Garbacz each scored twice, Capener also picking up four set ups in the match.
Another first-year, Reese Olson scored a goal with an assist as well, the other goal scored by sophomore Madchen Ewig along with an assist and junior Lily McPherson had an assist as well.
Sophomore goaltender Alyssa Gada kicked out the six shots fired at her to pick up her second shutout of the season.
Lightning 6 Raiders 1
The girls kicked off a three-game Saturday, scoring two unanswered first period goals and outscored the Raiders 3-1 in the second before adding one more in the final 17.
This time Olson stepped up for the offense with her first varsity hat trick, Begalske adding a goal and three assists while Capener also set up three.
Other goals came from Junior defender Eryn Benson and senior Emily Gunnell, Benson adding an assist.
Blosenski also had a helper and Gada kicked out 15 of 16 shots she faced.
Lightning 7 Golden Beavers 0
In the middle game Saturday, the Lightning and Gada picked up its second goose egg of the weekend, the goaltender stopping four to grab the win.
Lightning outshot its host 39-4 and that paid off with three unanswered first period goals and two in both the second and final periods.
Olson and Begalske continued their torrid pace with two goals and an assist each, Capener adding a goal and two helpers.
Other goals came from Benson and McPherson who also picked up an assist.
Blosenski and first-year Audrey Hanko collected assists in the game.
Lightning 4 Raiders 2
The final game was the closest, but despite the heavy workload, the Lightning still controlled the contest, outscoring Medford 2-1 in the first and second periods and playing through a scoreless final frame.
Gada allowed just three goals and 12 periods, stopping another 10 to pick up her fourth straight win.
Begalske picked up her seventh and eighth goals of the weekend and Capener notched a goal and assist. The other goal came from Ewig with single assists for Blosenski and McPherson.
The wins boosted the Lightning’s overall mark to 9-8 and the Lightning was scheduled to play again Tuesday (Feb. 1) at Pierce Park Pavilion, a 7 p.m. start against the Warbirds (11-6-1, 4-2-1 Eastern Shores Conference).
That will leave the team with four games to play beginning Thursday against the Cap City Cougars (10-10, 6-3 Badger Conference).
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