By Jim den Hollander
Editor/Publisher
Saukhockey.info
Local rivalries will intensify this weekend as RWD and Sauk Prairie youth hockey teams look to earn a berth at respective State Championship tournaments.
Both teams compete in Region 4, Division 3 so there will likely be at least a few head-to-head battles Sunday with a state championship berth at stake.
Five teams can already make hotel reservations, including all three of the Sauk Prairie Monkeys ‘A’ teams.
The lone squad in the 3A Division means the U10 ‘A’ Monkeys will be headed to Stoughton March 5-6 as the Region 4 Representative. The 12U ‘A’ Monkeys will make the trip to Green Bay March 12-13 and the U-14 ‘A’ Monkeys will hit the road to Baldwin March 5-6.
The RWD Peewee ‘B’ Cheavers and Sauk Prairie Peewee ‘B’ Flyers will do battle Saturday at 12:15 p.m. at Sun Prairie Cardinal rink, but both are assured a berth at the State Championship tournament March 12-13 at Rhinelander.
The winner of the regional championship game will represent Region 4 while the other team will fill in as the rep for Region 5.
Below is a quick look at the other six age groups all with three teams battling for one State Championship berth.
Squirt 3A
The RWD Squirt ‘A’ squad will take on Monroe Avalanche in a semi-final contest Saturday in McFarland starting at 4:45 p.m.
Winner of that contest will make the trip to Sauk Prairie Area Recreation Center (SPARC) Sunday for the 10:15 a.m. Regional championship contest against the host Flyers.
Winner of that contest will head to Shawano to play in the 3A State Championship tournament March 5-6.
Squirt 3B
The RWD Cheavers and Sauk Prairie Flyers will tangle in Verona at 12:15 p.m. Saturday with the winner advancing to play Sunday at SPARC in a 9 a.m. puck drop against the Stoughton Vikings for the Regional Championship.
The Regional winner will play at the 3B State Championship March 5-6 at Black River Falls.
Peewee 3A
The RWD 3A peewee squad will also play Monroe Avs on Saturday in a 6:30 p.m. contest at Sun Prairie Cardinal rink. The winner will advance to play the Sauk Prairie Flyers Sunday at 11:15 a.m. at Sun Prairie Tubbs for the Regional Championship.
The State Peewee 3A Tournament will be played in Marshfield March 5-6.
12U 3B
The 12U Girls 3B Regionals will begin Saturday at 3:15 p.m. at Sun Prairie Cardinal as the Sauk Monkeys White team takes on the Rock County Fury.
Winners of that one will be at Waunakee Ice Ponds Sunday for a 10:45 a.m. game against the Sauk Monkeys Red team for the Regional Championship.
The Regional rep will play in the State 3B Championship tournament hosted by Elmbrook March 12-13.
Bantam 3A
The RWD bantam ‘A’ Cheavers will make the trip to Sun Prairie Cardinal Saturday for a 6:30 p.m. contest against the Monroe Bantam Avalanche. The winner of that contest will move on to play the Sauk Prairie Bantam Flyers Sunday at 11:15 a.m. at Sun Prairie Tubbs.
The bantam 3A State Championship tournament will be held in Marshfield March 5-6.
14U B
The Sauk Monkeys 14U ‘B’ squad will start its weekend against the Verona ‘C’ Wildcats Saturday on home ice at SPARC at 12:15 p.m.
Winner will move on to play Sunday at Waunakee against the Rock County Jr. Fury Sunday at 12:15 p.m.
The Regional Champs will play in the State Championship tournament at Verona March 5-6.
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