RWD could rely on speed and defense this season

By Jim den Hollander  

Editor/Publisher 

Saukhockey.info 

The RWD varsity high school hockey team, representing Reedsburg, Mauston and Wisconsin Dells High School is planning to use speed and solid defense to make up for what could be leaner look on offense. 

Graduations of some top offensive players in recent years is a factor, but with more than two decades of experience coaching this team, Neil Mattson is used to season-t0-season adversity. 

On paper, the team on isee a slight drop in goals for this season but Mattson is impressed with the speed and attention to detail from the current group who accepted the challenge of stepping up its on ice conditioning during pre-season captain’s practices that are generally more relaxed shinny sessions. 

The team will face its first pre-season tests on Thursday (Nov. 16) with scrimmage sessions at Reedsburg Area Community Arena (RACA) against South Central Navigators (formerly Deforest Norskies), Monona Grove Silver Eagles and West Salem Panthers. The sessions will run from 5-9 p.m.  

The WIAA regular season will open for RWD on Tuesday (Nov. 21) at South Wood County Recreation Center in Wisconsin Rapids against the host Red Raiders at 7 p.m. and the locals will follow that up with what has become an annual trek to a small tournament in Somerset, playing the Eau Claire North Huskies at Friday. 

On Saturday, the RWD crew will take on either Menomonie or Somerset, depending on Friday results.  

First home game for the local side will be Dec. 1 against the Avalanche, a co-operative effort out of La Crosse Aquinas. 

After the Badger North was changed to the Badger West last season, it has gone under another facelift to the Badger ‘Small’ Conference. The conference still includes Madison Edgewood though and RWD will face the two-time defending champion Crusaders out of the game at RACA on Dec. 5 at RACA. 

That will be the first of five straight conference matches, the fifth against the McFarland Spartans doubling as the opener of the annual Holiday tournament at Lake Delton Ice Arena Dec. 28.