Senior six will be tough to replace for Lightning

By Jim den Hollander

Editor/Publisher

Saukhockey.info

Coach Rick Capener congratulated and said an emotional so long to six inspiring seniors at the Badger Lightning varsity and junior varsity banquet at Monk’s at the Wilderness Thursday (March 9) night.

The half dozen players played crucial roles on the squad dating back to their freshman season and in particular the 2020-21 season as they made up the core of a team that included just two lines, trying to stay 100 percent healthy during the COVID epidemic.

The presentation of senior honors and the team’s Specialty Awards was a highlight on the final meeting of players and parents for the 2022-23 season.

The group, including his youngest daughter, Kayla Capener, now the all-time leading scorer for the Lightning, clearly held a special place for Coach Capener.

“Some of these girls I have been in contact with for 10 years,” said the Coach before presenting senior honors. Capener coached them in youth hockey for several years before they started at their respective high schools.

Capener said the girls were used to winning, attending four state championship tournaments and always performing well.

“There was a lot of hockey, a lot of travel with this group.”

Pictured are the major award winners from the 2022-23 Badger Lightning banquet held at Monk’s at the Wilderness on Thursday (March 9). From left are: Paige Othmer (Sportsmanship Award); Kayla Capener (MVP); Mallory Ruland (Hobey Baker Award); Eryn Benson (Outstanding Defense) and Coaches Award (Elizabeth Hagg).

After dinner at Monk’s Capener addressed the team and parents, mentioning each varsity player individually and thanking everyone that helped make the season run smoothly.

Ending the evening was the presentation of six ‘Specialty’ trophies/plaques.

SPECIALTY AWARDS

The first presentation was the Sportsmanship Award presented to first year Paige Othmer who made a massive impression on the blue line in her rookie varsity season.

Othmer is not shy about being physical on the ice, but clearly plays clean, Capener pointing out she was the only varsity player to go penalty-free this season.

“She is always smiling,” said the Coach adding Othmer clearly loves the game adding on a couple occasions she apologized for incidental contact to members of the opposition.

Outstanding Defense honors went to Eryn Benson, who has been heavily relied on as a defender since her first days with the team.

A perfectionist when it comes to defense, “Nobody is harder on her than herself,” said Capener when it comes to her play on the ice. Capener described Benson as a “solid blue line player,” and her attention to the defensive side of the game meshed well with some of the younger defenders who like to carry the puck. She was an offensive contributor as well, blessed with a mighty shot from the point.

The Coaches Award was presented to Elizabeth Hagg, another of the promising first-year crop of players.

“This player did everything asked of her this year,” said Capener adding “She wanted a bigger role than she got most of the time but did it with a smile. She listens to everything we say, and she always looks to improve. She asked a lot of questions.”

Capener related a comical story about Hagg who took a rare penalty then returned to the ice and scored her first varsity goal. Capener makes no secret of his quest to eliminate penalties wherever possible so it might not be a surprise when he walked over to congratulate her on the goal she instead apologized for her infraction.

The Hobey Baker Award, presented for Dedication as well as on ice performance went to Mallory Ruland. Another product of the local youth system, Ruland, or more accurately her parents have sacrificed a lot to continue her hockey career as she travels from Elroy every day for practice with the team.

Ruland has been a key player since she started with the team, part of a potent trio (with Kayla Capener and Bella Bowden) during 2020-21 campaign and she has filled whatever position Coach Capener has asked throughout her four-year run.

Coach Capener also announced at the banquet Ruland received all-Badger Conference Honorable Mention recognition.

The Team MVP Award was presented to Kayla Capener who rewrote the team’s scoring record books and was a leader on the ice since her sophomore season.

This season the three-sport athlete scored 19 goals and 48 points to wrap up a four-year career with 58 goals and 150 points in 82 regular season games. Playoff totals add another four goals in five games.

While presenting here the MVP Award, Capener also announced his daughter was a unanimous First Team All-Badger Conference player and Second Team All-State.

INDIVIDUAL HONORS

FIRST YEARS

The varsity Lightning included a pair of First Year players this year and they made their presence felt immediately on a defense corps that should help the team take another step in its progress next season.

Kyran Merrell (Photo Courtesy Jessica Othmer)

Side by side, they couldn’t be more different, but on the blue line, Paige Othmer, one of the team’s tallest players and Kyran Merrell, the smallest in stature but far from it in talent are both exceptional puck moving defenders that, partnered with the solid goaltending in place, should make the Lightning one of the best defensive teams in the Badger Conference.

Paige Othmer (Photo Courtesy Jessica Othmer)

Capener said Merrell “was an impact player from the start. She has great hands and is one of the best (and quickest) technical skaters we have seen in some time.”

Merrell contributed two goals and seven helpers and earned her first varsity letter.

Othmer used her size to full advantage keeping the front of the Lightning goal clear of opposition threats and also was a quarterback for the powerplay from her spot on the blue line.

“She skates with the puck with a mission,” said Capener. Othmer collected five goals and nine points in her first season and earned her first varsity letter.

“Both of these players are going to be a force to contend with for the next three years for other teams,” said Capener.

SOPHMORES

Audrey Hanko (Photo Courtesy Jessica Othmer)

The varsity team included four sophomores and each of them played a key role this past season.

Defender Audrey Hanko was another of the young defenders that make the team’s future look so bright. Capener said quick reactions and a commitment to finishing plays made Hanko look solid on the blue line and an effective poke check brought memories of Carson Blosenski who graduated in 2022.

Hanko collected a goal and three points from her spot on the blue line and received her second varsity letter at the banquet.

Ryleigh Bychinski opted to stay in youth hockey for an extra season and became a fixture as a forward with the Lightning this past season.

Ryleigh Bychinski (Photo Courtesy Jessica Othmer)

In order to find the right fit and chemistry for others, Bychinski was moved around a bit through her first varsity season and Capener said she “handled it well,” describing here as an aggressive, physical player with good speed and a solid 200-foot game, Bychinski picked up three regular season goals and eight points.

Bychinski collected her first varsity letter.

Returning forward Kayla Garbacz had a successful season and like Bychinski she had different linemates over the season.

Kayla Garbacz (Photo Courtesy Jessica Othmer)

“Another player we moved around a little, looking for the right fit and handled it well,” said Capener who praised her for her ability to find open areas with and without the puck and remembered a big assist she collected in a big game against Onalaska.

Overall, Garbacz who is also a gifted runner, collected three goals and seven points and collected her second varsity letter.

Reese Olson has been a key player for the Lightning since the first time she put the jersey on. Her aggressive style made her a perfect fit on the first line in her freshman season “and she earned that agan this year,” said Capener.

Reese Olson (Photo Courtesy Jessica Othmer)

The downside to the aggressive style of play is an occasional infraction, but Olson countered that as an exceptional penalty killer, turning the time playing short as a positive.

“When she forechecks, her goal is trying to give us an opportunity to score a ‘shorty,’” said Coach Capener.

Olson scored 10 goals and collected 26 points this season, receiving her second varsity letter along with a captain’s pin and a hat trick medal.

JUNIORS

The primary job of replacing the six departing seniors will fall to this group of four juniors who will lead the way next season.

First up, Katelyn Allen, described by Capener as “just a workhorse and grinder,” will make the team’s aggressive style live on.

Katleyn Allen (Photo Courtesy Jessica Othmer)

“She thrives on breaking up and disrupting the flow for the other team,” said Capener who also gave her credit for doubling as a defender for the junior varsity squad, commenting that experience will make her more valuable as she could play forward or defense on the team depending on situations in 2023-24.

Allen scored a pair and set up another and was presented with her second varsity letter.

Another player Capener said will be relied on next season is third year forward Madchen Ewig.

Also known as a ‘grinder’ for her tireless play, Capener said she does anything asked on the ice, including a key game in Viroqua where she returned to the crease for the first time in hseveral seasons.

Madchen Ewig (Photo Courtesy Jessica Othmer)

“She played huge in net against Viroqua. There was lots of pressure in the game, and she handled it great.”

Known primarily as a shutdown player against some tough opponents, Ewig picked up an assist along the way and received her third varsity letter.

Karson Nicksic was a mid-season addition as a forward but made a big impression quickly.

Described by the coach as a “fast, strong forward with good hockey sense. I am looking forward to a full season with her next year.”

Karsen Nicksic (Photo Courtesy Jessica Othmer

Nicksic hit the mesh twice and set up a pair, collecting her first varsity letter.

One of the greatest weapons the Lightning has moving forward is the stellar play between the pipes from junior Alyssa Gada.

Alyssa Gada (Photo Courtesy Jessica Othmer)

The team doesn’t have a goalie coach but Gada’s attention to detail has made her one of the best around.

“She is very thorough,” said the Coach., “She replays every goal in her head so she can correct what happened.” She went to the cage for 1,100 minutes (about 18 and a half hours), making her one of the most overworked goaltenders in the state. She faced 586 shots and allowed less than three goals (2.80) per game witha save percentage of .910 that rose to .916 in key conference battles.

Her five shutouts give her seven in her career, second most all time for the Lightning and within reach of the 11 posted by Jamie Dutton. She earned her third varsity letter and with what should be a solid group of defenders she will make it difficult for opposition forwards next season.

SENIORS

Capener gave special notice to his seniors as he always does. This group faced leadership challenges earlier than most, playing big roles on an understaffed team. They leave the club much better than it was when they arrived.

Lily McPherson (Photo courtesy Jessica Othmer)

Among the graduating six was Lily McPherson, a defender who gained a ton of confidence in herself and her ability over the past four seasons.

The coach recalled a time a few years prior when McPherson contemplated leaving the sport.

“We had a long talk about it, and I gave her time and distance to think about it,” said Capener. “Fast forward and here we are. I, the staff and the team are glad she continued with us.”

The coach said McPherson stuck out as “a protector of our goalie,” adding she was always a positive influence in the locker room as well.

McPherson collected a goal and assist this season, five goals and 17 points over her career and never sat more than 10-minutes in penalties in a season. She was presented with a fourth varsity letter.

Another of the aggressive forwards was Lani Selje who developed from a first time skater to an accomplished forward during her time with Capener.

Lani Selje (Photo Courtesy Jessica Othmer)

“I remember when she started (the game). Her parents were happy if she just practiced and didn’t play in the games. So, every game she would come with her helmet and sit on the bench. One day, she showed up and I asked where her gear was. I never seen anyone so excited, until her parents showed up that is,” Capener said adding they took a lot of pictures that day.

“Lani was always the team protector, a role I think she liked” said Coach Capener. “A physical style player who over her high school career developed a nasty hard shot.

Selje scored three goals this season and eight over her varsity career which wrapped up with 18 points and she also collected her fourth varsity letter.

Even as a first-year player Eryn Benson was noted as a great stay at home defender with a threatening shot in the offensive zone.

Eryn Benson (Photo Courtesy Jessica Othmer

This season, Capener said he picked her as a team captain because “Everyone was comfortable talking with her. Always mild mannered and smiling, her plan was always solid and consistent.”

While noted primarily for her defensive expertise, Benson was valuable on the powerplay as she not only held the puck in at the line, but her hard shot created offensive opportunities.

Benson scored a pair of goals this season, giving her nine in her career and 33 points.

When it comes to the excitement a hard nosed physical player blessed with overwhelming breakaway speed can bring to a team, step up Bella Bowden.

Bella Bowden (Photo Courtesy Jessica Othmer)

“Bella’s most consistent strength was her speed and determination,” said coach Capener. “She reminds me of those cross-country runners you see that just keep running until they drop over. She is the only player I’ve coached that approached hockey the same way.

“As the season went on, she got better about letting us know she needed a break.”

In motorcycle racing and some other sports, the winner or fastest racer from the previous season wears number one so it was fitting that she sported that number, usually identified with goaltenders, for the Lightning.

Her five goals and nine points this season gave her a career total of 31 goals and 45 points.

Before picking up Hobey Baker honors, Mallory Ruland got the the call as a senior from coach Capener.

Mallory Ruland (Photo Courtesy Jessica Othmer)

“All four years, Mallory has been that whatever you need me to do player. That is what made her a captain this year. She also made skating and stickhandling through traffic look effortless,” who excelled as a penalty killer.

Ruland notched 15 goals and 31 points, easily her best offensive season as she played 78 career regular season games, scoring 33 goals and collecting 62 points.

Finally, Capener honored Kayla Capener, before presenting her later as the obvious MVP winner.

“Kayla has been a leader on the ice for several years,” said the coach. “Her ability to fina the open lane for a pass is special. Seeing the game a few steps ahead doesn’t hurt either. She was a captain this year. Coach Blosenski said last year when Kayla is on the ice, she controls the flow of the game and for obvious reasons, I’m going to miss her on the ice next year.”

Kayla Capener (Photo Courtesy Jessica Othmer)

Before going through the honors and awards, Capener gave a rundown on the team’s performance this past season and announced a few interesting additions for the future. Also Coach Josh Cone presented certificates to the members of the junior varsity squad.

Listed below are some key points.

— The 26 players on the roster this season is the highest number in 15 years. Not bad for a team that had just two lines two seasons prior. As a result of the additions, the lock room was updated with salls added and Capener thanked the Baraboo School District for helping out the purchase of new jerseys for the players at a cost of $17,000.

— Coach Capener said new schedules for varsity and junior varsity teams should be released next month.

— A couple of interesting changes through the off season that should help players stay sharp is shared ice time with the Beaver Dam Golden Beavers, liking beginning in July in Beaver Dam. Capener said the format will likely see teams engaging in separate drills then coming together to scrimmage.

— The team will engage in some team building exercises with a ‘dry course,’ and ‘wet course’ at some point over the off season and said plans are in place for a Jet Boat ride at some point to begin the chemistry/bonding experience for the 2023-24 team.

SEASON REVIEW

Lightning players celebrated their first playoff win in a decade last month. (Photo Courtesy Jessica Othmer)

They entered the 2022-23 season with three goals and achieved two of them, coming within a whisker of the third.

First, the team wanted to finish the season at or better than .500 and reached it with an overall 12-12 performance, the best record since the 2010-11 season.

The missed goal was hosting a playoff game and that is the lone setback for an otherwise amazing season. It will eat at some of the players, primarily seniors. “We know we had it in us,” said the coach.

Winning a playoff game was the final goal and the team accomplished that with the first playoff victory since 2011 in Sun Prairie a few weeks ago. Capener said the team came together for the biggest game in recent history and may have been encouraged by some unfortunate comments by the opposition coach that reached the locker room wall.

In 2017-18, the Lightning posted a 0-18 record with a total of 22 goals. They have improved each season and scored 80 goals in 2022-23.

The team is saying goodbye to some of the best players in team history, but a large contingent (Likely a similar number of players this fall) of young players eager to leave their mark on the program will continue the team’s rise in the years to come.

Lightning defense does the job against Beaver Dam

By Jim den Hollander
Editor/Publisher
Saukhockey.info

The Badger Lightning snapped a three-game losing streak and kept its own string of perfection alive with an impressive defensive outing and a 4-0 shutout against the Beaver Dam Beavers at Pierce Park Pavilion Monday (Jan. 23) night.

Only some standout work between the pipes by Beaver Dam first year Emily Smedema prevented a more lopsided score as the host Lightning dominated to the tune of a 54-15 edge in shots overall.

The Lightning who have never been defeated by the Golden Beavers, busted out of its latest skid with an awesome work ethic, great speed and precision passing. While Smedema stopped everything she could see, all four Badger Lightning goals came from tenacious play on top of the blue paint.

The first two were scored by senior Bella Bowden, in her element with hardnosed physical play and refusal to give up on loose pucks.

The game winner came late in the opening period with a setup from sophomore Kayla Garbacz who also enjoyed a big night with assists on the first three goals. First year defender Paige Othmer collected an assist on the second one, scored 4:35 into the middle frame.

Later in the middle period, senior Mallory Ruland had a couple opportunities and stayed witht he puck until she finally jammed it home to widen the gap with assists for Garbacz and senior Kayla Capener.

Junior Reese Olson notched the final goal also on a second effort 4:47 into the third from Capener and Ruland.
The conference win was crucial for the Lightning who face the conference leading Metro Lynx Thursday on home ice and make the trip to Viroqua Feb. 2 for what could be a crucial game with a home game in the post season on the line.
In between, the Lightning will spend a busy weekend in Beaver Dam, playing three games in a tournament this weekend.

Taped interviews with Coach Capener and senior defender Lily McPherson would not convert to the proper format for this story.

Kayla Garbacz enjoyed a big night Monday with three assists against the Beaver Dam Golden Beavers. ***Photo Courtesy Jessica Othmer***

Capener, Ruland lead Lightning into second half

By Jim den Hollander

Editor/Publisher

Saukhockey.info

The Badger Lightning varsity hockey team returned from Christmas Break looking to snap the longest skid of its breakthrough 2022-23 WIAA varsity season.

In five games since the break, the Lightning has righted its season with 23 goals and a 3-2 record.

After an impressive 4-1 start to the regular season, the Lightning ran into some tough competition and entered the break riding a four-game losing streak.

In the first game back, sophomore Reese Olson sank the overtime game winner leading the Lightning past independent Northern Edge 4-3 at Pierce Park Pavilion Dec. 28. The following night, the Lightning collected one of its biggest wins ever with a 12-1 win against the Northland Pines Eagles, but the streak was ended with a 5-0 loss on home ice against the Warbirds last Thursday (Jan. 5) followed by a 7-3 loss at the Ponds in Brookfield against the host Brookfield Glacier.

Lightning broke back into the win column and added another conference win with a 4-2 doubling of the Icebergs Monday, also at Pierce Park Pavilion.

Against Northern Edge, both teams scored once each period, setting the stage for the overtime heroics. Senior Mallory Ruland played a part in all four goals, scoring two and setting up the other pair.

Against the Eagles, Lightning held a 47-15 edge on the shot clock, opening a 5-1 first period lead and never looking back.

The Lightning have had plenty to celebrate so far this season and there is still more to come.
***Photo Courtesy Jessica Othmer***

Junior goaltender Alyssa Gada kept the Lightning in it against the Warbirds despite a massive 52-16 edge on shots. After stopping all 15 shots faced in the opening period, the Warbirds finally wore her down a bit with three goals on 23 middle period chances, adding two more in the third.

At Brookfield, the host Glacier opened a 3-1 first period lead adding two more in the middle frame before the Lightning played through an even 2-2 third period.

In the most recent game, the Lightning battled back from a 2-0 first period deficit with a pair in the second and two more in the third.

Senior Kayla Capener notched the game winner and collected three points in the contest on her way to a six goal, 12-point run through the five games. Her next goal will be the 50^th of her varsity career and her next point will give her 125.

Ruland wrapped up the stretch with three goals and 10 points while Olson also scored three along with four assists. First years Paige Othmer and Ryleigh Bychinski both collected four points, Othmer with three goals and Bychinski three assists and a game winner.

Sophomore forward Kayla Garbacz notched two goals and an assist, senior defender Eryn Benson adding a goal and two helpers. Senior Bella Bowden and Kyran Merrell both collected a goal and assist and senior Lani Selje also scored once.

Capener, Bychinski and Olson counted the game winners.

In goal, Gada collected three wins and dropped just one, stopping 104 of 115 shots for a .904 Save Percentage. First year goaltender Claire Scates came on in relief against the Eagles, kicking out both shots faced in the third period and she got the start in Brookfield, making 20 saves.

The Lightning will look to climb back over the .500 plateau (7-7) Friday (Jan. 13) when the Cap City Cougars visit for a Badger Conference match at 7 p.m.

The Lightning earned a 2-0 shutout win in the previous meeting in Sun Prairie on Dec. 3.

The Lightning currently sit fourth in the conference with a 4-3 record.

Area players play role in Blue Devils’ spring season

By Jim den Hollander
Editor/Publisher
Saukhockey.info
A large number of RWD hockey players have avoided a lull in their schedule by trying out for and making the Western Wisconsin Blue Devils Summer Hockey teams.

Most of the teams attended three tournaments, wrapping up this past weekend.
Details on the events were limited, but following is a list of teams that included local players and the details this reporter was able to garner.

’08 Blue Devils

The ’08 Blue Devils began its three-tournament season at the Border Battle Tournament with RJ Manley, a fixture with the Tomah-based squad for several seasons included in the lineup along with Thomas Sarnow.

Manley, an incoming RWD freshman and his teammates started out with an impressive 8-1 win against Blaze (Gold) at Somerset Ice Arena April 22, then returned the following day battling Breakaway to a 1-1 draw in Forest Lake and moving back to the win column with a 5-2 decision against Ice Edge in Woodbury, MN.

The Blue Devils wrapped up top spot in its six-team group with another 5-2 margin on April 24 against the St. Croix Muskies, played in Forest Lake.

At the Shock Doctor Tournament played in the Twin Cities area, the Blue Devils played in the six-team ’08 Upper draw, beginning April 29 with a 5-2 defeat at the hands of the Lake Superior Pirates at Brooklyn Park.

The following day, the North Metro Stars doubled the Blue Devils 4-2 but the Devils stormed back with an 8-2 win against FCA Hockey (Blue), both games played in Maple Grove.

In the first of two games Sunday, the Blue Devils were shutout 4-0 by Hockey Haven and they wrapped up a busy weekend, settling for fourth place after a 5-2 loss against the Madison Capitols in the third-place contest.

The team wrapped up the compact season playing this past weekend in the Mountain Dew Blast Tournament, also in the Twin Cities area. No details from that event were available at the time of printing this article.

’09 Blue Devils

A group of players from the Regional Champion RWD Peewee ‘A’ Cheavers stayed united on this team. Tyler Krieski and Ethan Pope both made the trip with the team to the Border Battle Tournament in Hudson.
Playing at the AAA level is a giant step for players generally playing in smaller centers and the tournament was primarily a learning experience.
After dropping a 10-3 decision against the Eskimos in the first game, April 22, the Devils played twice the following day, doubling the Minnesota Magicians 8-4 before falling 7-3 against Tommy Chicago later the same day.
The Blue Devils returned to play Tommy Chicago again Sunday falling 8-3.
Scoring details were unavailable.
Krieski and Pope were joined by Ethan Wilcox and Hailey Dietl a few weeks later at the Shock Doctor Shootout played at several rinks in the Twin Cities area as well as the final tournament.
The caliber was tough again in the State of Hockey, the Blue Devils opening April 29 with a tough 3-1 loss against All Out Hockey and returning the following day for a 5-2 loss against Hockey Factory from Fond du Lac, eventual championships in their 12-team division and a 2-2 draw against Arvada 2009. On Sunday, the team played in the 9th place match but settled for 10th following a 5-1 win against the same Arvada team.
The team turned in its best effort at the end, settling for fourth place at the Mountain Dew Blast played at the National Sports Center Super Rinks in Blaine, MN, along with a few others. No game or roster details were available from this event played this past weekend but the ’09 team wrapped up fourth place.

’10 Blue Devils

This team that also included a trio of members from the Peewee ‘A’ Cheavers attended the same events as their ’09 teammates — Landen Uminski, Noah Backeberg and Jesse Arnold. Also, from the Sauk Prairie Flyers, Logan Harrington played in all three events while Michael Jolicoeur and Braden Slough joined for the final two.
At the Border Battle Tournament, the ’10 Devils played its first two games in St. Croix, falling 4-1 in its opening contest against MPH Gold before bouncing pack with a 3-2 win against Blaze (Gold) later on Friday April 22.
The Blue Devils stepped across the border to Woodbury and collected a 9-3 win against the Rivertown Muskies (Green) Saturday.
On Sunday, the Devils wrapped up in Hudson, dropping a 4-0 shutout against the Eskimos.
Scoring details were unavailable.
At the Shock Doctor tournament, the local players joined the Blue Devils in the 10-team ’10-Lower’ Division.
The team again continued its summer arena tour appearing in two more, beginning with a 4-1 loss against the Wisconsin Jr. Jets in Maple Grove, MN.
The remaining games were played at Pagel Rink in Minnetonka, MN. The Devils clearly found it to be like home, collecting a 6-5 win against Arvada 2010 Saturday morning and a 4-1 decision against Rivertown Muskies (Blue) later the same day.
An 8-2 win Sunday morning against Hockey Factory Lake Country advanced the Blue Devils into the Consolation Championship game and the locals stayed hot with its fourth straight win at Pagel, 7-4 against the MN Lakers (White).
The Blue Devils wrapped up its short Spring/Summer season with a spot at the Mountain Dew Blast this past weekend where the ’10 Blue Devils wrapped up its season with a tournament championship.

U-14 Girls Blue Devils

This division included four locals — Kayla Garbacz and Reese Olson who played as freshmen on the Badger Lightning varsity hockey team this past season along with Paige Othmer and Ryleigh Bychinski who reached the U-14 State Championship match with Tomah’s TNT Squad and will join the Lightning in the late fall.
This team first played at the Border Battle Tournament, opening play in Baldwin, WI with a 5-2 loss against the St. Croix Selects Friday April 22, before bouncing back the same day at Woodbury, MN with a 2-0 shutout against Ice Cougar East.
The following day, back in Baldwin, the U-14’s played Hometown Hockey to a 2-2 draw before wrapping it up in Baldwin with a 6-0 win against MPH Gold.
On May 6 the Devils travelled to the Twin Cities to compete in the Spring Stampede, opening with a 3-0 shutout against Minnesota Hook at the Buffalo Civic Center and following it up with another goose egg, 6-0 against the South DC Tigers at the Super Rinks in Blaine.
The Blue Devils moved on to a 4-4 draw in its third game (opponent unclear) at Blaine’s Fogerty Ice Arena, then moved on to Elk River Ice Arena to pick up a 5-2 win against Stampede Green.
That moved the Devils into the tournament championship game where they came up just short 3-1 against Northern Elite White.
The 14U squad finished it’s summer schedule with a spot at the Midwest Invite Tournament in Appleton May 13-15.
In its opening match, the Blue Devils dropped a 3-1 decision against the Green Bay Hornets. Garbacz scored the lone Blue Devils’ marker in the second period.
The following day Olson fired a pair and set up another with another goal from Bychinski as the Blue Devils got by the Milwaukee Tuskers 5-1. Later Saturday Hockey Factory Madison handed the locals a 2-0 loss.
On Sunday, Othmer led the way with a goal and assist, Olson adding another goal and Garbacz setting up one in a 4-0 shutout against the Fox Cities Bulldogs, wrapping up third place for the Devils.

U-12 Girls Blue Devils

The U-12 Blue Devils, including Hailey Dietl wrapped up a solid spring season with the championship banner at the Midwest Invite Tournament in the Madison area.

Hailey Dietl did double duty playing for the U12 Girls Blue Devils as well as the ’09 squad.
The team played three events as well, beginning with the Ignite the Ice/Trailblazer Tournament April 8-10 in the Twin Cities.
Starting out with a 4-3 edge against the Red River Flames (Red) team on Friday night, they found the Red River Flames (Black) tougher on Saturday morning, falling 4-1. Later on Saturday, the Blue Devils responded with a 7-0 shutout win against Hometown Blue.
On Sunday, the second seeded Blue Devils collected a 4-1 win agianst Red River Flames which moved them into the tournament championship where they ran into Red River Flames (Black) again, settling for runners up 6-1.
Next up was Spring Stampede, May 6-8 also at the Elk River Ice Arena.
The Blue Devils opened with an 8-1 win against the Majors and also blew by Blue Army Red 8-0, then played the Railhawks to a 5-5 draw.
A 9-1 win in semis against the Majors sent the Blue Devils to a rematch with the Railhawks in the Championship game, but it was the Railhawks hoisting the hardware with a 1-0 win.
Wrapping up the season, the Blue Devils played in the U-12 Midwest-Invite in the Madison area, wrapping up the season in style with five straight wins and a championship trophy.
In the first game, the Devils downed Hockey Factory, Fond du Lac 7-1 on Friday at McFarland Community Ice Arena.
On Saturday, the Devils earned a 3-2 edge against Milwaukee Tuskers at Verona’s Eagles Nest, then returned to McFarland for a massive 13-0 shutout against Them Girls.
A 9-2 win in McFarland against the Hornets send the Devils to the championship game where it was joined by Dietl who played for the ’09 team in Minnesota on the same weekend.
Dietl scored twice and set up the other, leading the Devils to a 3-0 win in the championship game against the Tuskers. Brooke Lakowske was on the receiving end of the pass from Dietl for her goal and returned the favor with assists on both Dietl markers.

’11 Blue Devils

Rainier Scott, a member of the RWD Squirts played for the ’11 Blue Devils who attended the same three events as the older Blue Devils’ teams, beginning with the Border Battle April 22-24.
The competitition was tough for the ’11 Blue Devils who dropped four games. The first three, an 8-1 loss against the Guardians (Gray), 6-1 against the Blaze (Gold) and 8-1 against the OP Predators were played Friday and Saturday at St. Croix Rec Center and the final game, a 6-3 doubling by the MN Magicians was played in Hudson.
At the Shock Doctor event April 29-May 1, the Blue Devils played in the 10-team U-11 Lower Division.
After opening with a 4-3 win against the Wisconsin Titans at the Pagel Rink in Minnetonka Friday, the team moved to Eden Prairie Saturday, dropping an 8-1 decision against the Majors and settling for a 5-5 draw against MN Steel.
On Sunday, the U11’s wrapped up the weekend, dropping a 7-4 decision to the Wildcats, also at Eden Prairie.
Like the others, the U-11 Blue Devils finished the schedule at the Mountain Dew Blast which currently has no details available.

’12 Blue Devils

Briar Messer, another member of the RWD Squirt ‘A’ squad played for the ‘U12 Blue Devils which opened its season at the Border Battle event April 22-24 as well.
The Devils started on the Friday in Somerset dropping a 3-1 decision against the Guardians (Gray), then headed to Woodbury on the Minnesota side of the border, battling the Ice Hawks to a 3-3 draw Saturday morning.
Back in Somerset later Saturday, the Devils collected an 8-1 win against Lake’s Elite and they wrapped up play Sunday with a 6-3 doubling of Blaze (Gold).
At the end of April at the Shock Doctor tournament, the ’12 Blue Devils played all games at Shakopee Rink, starting out with a 7-0 win Friday against. the Daggers.
On Saturday, Devils collected an 8-1 win against the B-E Bombers (Red) but suffrered a 5-1 loss later in the day against the Fox City Bulldogs.
On Sunday, the Devils suffered a 9-1 loss against the AAA Velocity who later claimed the division championship while the Blue Devils moved on to down the Wisconsin Jets 5-1 and wrap up third place.
Like many of the other Blue Devils teams, the ’12 squad finished at the Mountain Dew Blast this past weekend, wrapping up the spring schedule with a third place showing.

’13-14 Blue Devils

Jase Uminski, Owen Meyer and Bentley Meyer played a part for the ’13-14 Blue Devils who attended the same three events as the other Blue Devils teams.
At the Border Battle, April 22-24, the ’13 Blue Devils won four straight games, beginning Friday with a 7-6 edge against the Blaze (Gold) squad in Hastings, MN.
On Saturday, the Devils pounded PH Grit 10-3 and downed the Guardians (Gray) 5-2, both games played in St. Croix.
The team wrapped up top spot with a rematch and a 9-3 win against Blaze (Gold).
Blue Devils were one of 16 teams at the Shock Doctor Shoot Out and got the tournament off to a great start with a 7-0 win against the WI Jr. Jets at Eden Prairie Friday followed by a 6-3 decision against Ice Edge (Blue) Saturday at the same rink.
Later Saturday, the Blue Devils dropped an 8-1 decision against the MN Lakers at Braemar Arena in Edina.
Those results put the team into a 7th place battle against the same Guardians (Gray) team it played a few weeks earlier. The Devils clinched the spot with a 5-3 edge.
Last weekend, the ’13 Blue Devils finished the schedule at the Mountain Dew Blast, reaching the championship game.

WAHA State Preview — Sauk Monkeys 14U ‘A’/TNT 14U

By Jim den Hollander

Editor/Publisher

Saukhockey.info

Sauk Prairie 14U A Monkeys 5-31-2

TNT 14U A 27-10-1

Officially, Sauk County and WAHA Region 4 will be represented by the Sauk Monkeys 14U ‘A’ squad at the WAHA 14U A State Championship tournament in Baldwin at the United Civic Center this weekend.

However, there is a bit of overlap as the Tomah-based TNT 14U squad includes a couple Reedsburg area players who double rostered with the RWD bantams this past season.

Playing in Region 6, TNT earned its berth collecting a thrilling 3-2 overtime/shootout win against the Western Wisconsin Stars.

The 14U Monkeys collected an automatic berth in region 4 but faced tough challenges along the way to prepare for this event.

The Monkeys and TNT are both on the bottom half of the draw for the eight-team tournament that begins Saturday in Baldwin. The Monkeys will start out with a tough test against the Hayward Hurricanes 14U girls (5-10-0 – Incomplete) at 11:30 a.m. followed by TNT against Milwaukee Winter Club (14-16-2).

Winners of these two contests will meet in a semi-final match at 8:15 p.m. and the other two will square off at 6:30 p.m. On the other side of the draw are the Central Wisconsin Storm (24-12-3), Fox River Freeze (16-11-2 – Incomplete), River Falls BlackCats (No statistics available) and the Elmbrook Valkyries (No statistics available).

All eight teams will play twice on Saturday in Baldwin, then return Sunday for finals, beginning with the seventh-place game at 10 a.m. and wrapping up with the WAHA 14U State Championship game starting at 2 p.m.

All 12 games from the United Civic Center in Baldwin will be available online on LiveBarn.

Included on the 14U ‘A’ Monkeys are Mary Marck, Jordyn Schmid, Emma Diehl, Amelia Hahn, Claire Wiler, Lillian Freeman, Aubree Christian, Sophia Gesicki, Sophia Vest and Izzy Laufenberg.

Included on the TNT squad are Reedsburg area players Paige Othmer and Ryleigh Bychinski along with Charlotte Hanna, Anna Phillips, Samantha Berra, Hailey Jordan, Piper Mathison, Reanne Long, Ally Ritter, Shelby King, Camryn Steele, Alexa Lowe, Kaylan Hanson, Marah Noth, Alizah Hayes, Bella Arne, Alexa Moore, Jessie Berg, Jada Rave.

Saukhockey.info would like to wish both the Sauk Monkeys 14U and TNT 14U squads good luck in Baldwin this weekend.

Members of the TNT 14U girls celebrated their Region 6 Championship win in early February. They will be in Baldwin this weekend along with the Sauk Monkeys 14U ‘A’ squad in the hunt for a state championship. ***Photo Courtesy Jessica Othmer***

Phillips’ hat trick leads 14U WEHL squad to win

By Jim den Hollander

Editor/Publisher

Saukhockey.info

The Wisconsin Elite Hockey League (WEHL) 14U SouthCentral Girls team wrapped up its 12-game regular season splitting a pair of games against the NorthEast/NorthCentral squad at the Lake Delton Ice Arena.

After winning a wild offensive battle 7-4 to start the two-game set Sunday morning, the SouthCentral team had trouble finding the mesh the second one, dropping a 2-1 decision.

A four-goal flurry for SouthCentral turned a 2-0 deficit into a 4-4 draw by the start of the third and three more unanswered goals in the final frame lifted them to the win.

Leading the way on offense was Anna Phillips (Black River Falls) with three goals and Julia Purinton (Madison Mavericks) notched a pair. Ella Knapp (Madison Mavericks) collected a goal and two assists, the other goal scored by Shelby King (Wisconsin TNT/Wisconsin Blue Devils AAA).

Defender Tahni Barger from the Sauk Prarie Flyers/Monkeys and Wildcat Youth Hockey and Payton O’Neill (TNT/Blue Devils)set up a pair of SouthCentral goals with other assists for Phillips, Purinton and Carolina Cutrano (Mavericks).

The second game was the opposite as SouthCentral opened the scoring early in the second period as Knapp set up Purinton’s third of the day, but this time the visitors struck back with a trying goal early in the third and a game winner with 6:20 to go.

Also in the lineup for SouthCentral in this one and for the entire season was Sarah Hash from the Sauk Prairie Flyers/Monkeys and Wisconsin Jr. Stars along with Paige Othmer (RWD/Badger Lightning/Blue Devils) on defense and forward Reese Olson from Baraboo/Portage Thunderbirds/Badger Lightning/Blue Devils AAA.

A goal Celebration from earlier this season. SouthCentral had plenty to celebrate in the first game, but had troubles on offense in the getaway game against NorthEast/NorthCentral on Sunday at the Lake Delton Ice Arena.

The split in the final series leaves SouthCentral with a 3-6-3 record in WEHL contests and a 7-6-3 record overall.

The four teams from the 14U Division will compete in the championship tournament this weekend at Blue Line Family Ice Center in Fond du Lac.

SouthCentral will face off against SouthEast in its first game Saturday at 9:45 a.m. In its previous four meetings with SouthEast, the local side owned a 1-2-1 record, but they haven’t faced each other in over a month.

Second game at 6:30 p.m. Saturday will see the local squad taking on the Western team which it has yet to defeat, tying once and dropping the other three.

On Sunday at 11:45 a.m. SouthCentral will wrap it up against NorthEast/NorthCentral who they hold a 2-1-1 record against this season.

Three point game for Olson in WEHL meeting

By Jim den Hollander

Editor/Publisher

Saukhockey.info

The SouthCentral 14U Wisconsin Elite Hockey League (WEHL) team saw its longest undefeated string of the season end after seven games but also saw some improvement over early matches against the Western squad in a pair of games at the United Civic Center Ice Arena in Baldwin.

After scoring the first two and final two goals in a 4-4 draw to extend its streak in the opening match despite being outshot, the Western side rallied back from an early deficit again in the second match, this time extending it to a 3-1 final.

The same two teams met in Verona at the end of August, Western handing the South Central squad 3-1 and 6-0 defeats.

Reese Olson from Baraboo (Badger Lightning/Blue Devils AAA) played a big role in the first contest, shaking off some physical play to score the first two SouthCentral goals and she also set up Leah Grudzinski (Wisconsin Mavericks) to get the team within one later in the contest.

Reese Olson slams the puck home past the Western goaltender in the first of two games at Baldwin Sunday with teammate Maizy Fonseca ready for a rebound.

Other Sauk County representation on the team includes defenders Tahni Barger (Sauk Monkeys, Wildcat Youth Hockey/Sauk Flyers); Sarah Hash (Sauk Flyers/Sauk Monkeys/Wisconsin Jr. Stars) and Paige Othmer (RWD Cheavers/Badger Lightning/Blue Devils AAA).

Anna Phillips (Black River Falls) scored the equalizer for SouthCentral in the third period to complete the comeback.

Leah Grudzinski celebrates her goal for the SouthCentral squad with Abby Hollfelder.

Outshot again in the second contest, SouthCentral kept the game scoreless until Caroline Cutrano (Madison Mavericks) found the net to put SouthCentral in front again. A shorthanded goal pulled the Western side even and that shifted the momentum back to Western who fired two more unanswered goals to wrap up the win.

The weekend results dropped SouthCentral to 2-5-3 in league play and 6-5-3 overall. The Regional squad will enjoy a week off this weekend, then return to the Lake Delton Ice Arena October 24 for a pair of matches against the NorthCentral/NorthEast team.

Paige Othmer of the SouthCentral (red jersey) squad takes away a scoring opportunity for a player from the Western team during the first of their two games in Baldwin Sunday.

Reese Olson (forward by boards, Tahni Barger (15) and Sarah Hash are in position for a faceoff just outside the Western blue line during their second game in Baldwin Sunday.

This board meeting was part of the physical contests between the SouthCentral (red) and Western (blue) WEHL teams played in Baldwin on Sunday. SouthCentral players in the scrum including Sarah Hash (11), Ella Knapp (17) and Payton O’Neill (2).

SouthCentral WEHL squad stays hot in Green Bay

By Jim den Hollander

Editor/Publisher

Saukhockey.info

Coming off a four-win championship weekend at a tournament near Chicago, the South Central 14U team returned to Wisconsin Elite Hockey League (WEHL) action this weekend in Green Bay.

The SouthCentral squad which includes defenders Paige Othmer, from the RWD/Badger Lightning/Blue Devils programs, Sarah Hash, from the Sauk Prairie Flyers/Monkeys/Wisconsin Jr. Stars and Tahni Barger from the Sauk Prairie Monkeys/Wildcat Youth Hockey/Sauk Prairie Flyers and forward Reese Olson from the (Baraboo-Portage T-Birds/Badger Lightning/Blue Devils.

The team made the trip to Green Bay’s Cornerstone Ice Arena to play the NorthCentral/Northeast squad, taking the first game 5-2 and settling for a 2-2 draw in the getaway game.

In the opener, SouthCentral was led by Anna Phillips from Black River Falls who collected a hat trick, Olson scoring one of the others.

The second game saw Shelby King from Tomah (TNT/Blue Devils) scoring the first and Othmer connecting for the other.

The results boost the SouthCentral team to 3-3-2 in League play and 7-3-2 overall.

The team will carry a six-game unbeaten streak into play next weekend in Baldwin to play the Western Wisconsin team. The two previously met in Verona at the end of August, kicking off the season with a pair of wins for the West squad 3-1 and 6-0.

SouthCentral celebrates a goal against NorthCentral/NorthEast at Green Bay

South-Central WEHL squad collects Wheels of Fire title

By Jim den Hollander

Editor/Publisher

Saukhockey.info

With a week off in the middle of its short season schedule, the 14U South Central Wisconsin Elite Hockey League (WEHL) squad took several team members to the Chicago area for a weekend tournament.

Clearly the class of the field, the South-Central squad which uses the Lake Delton Ice Arena as a home-base, didn’t just pick up four wins, but surrendered just a single goal on the weekend at the Wheels of Fire Tournament

Starting out against THEM Girls. South-Central collected a 6-0 win with Tomah’s Shelby King (Blue Devils AAA) leading the way with a four-goal game, Anna Phillips of Black River Falls and Julia Purinton from McFarland (Madison Mavericks) notching the other goals.

Against the Metro Jets from the Detroit area, South-Central rolled to a 10-0 goose egg with Phillips and King notching two more apiece and others for Waunakee’s Olivia Dull; Leah Grudzinski from Verona (Madison Mavericks); Maizy Fonseca of Warren (Monroe Youth Hockey Avalanche); Abby Hollfelder of Sun Prairie (Madison Mavericks); Carolina Cutrano from Waunakee (Madision Mavericks) and Payton O’Neill from Black River Falls (WI TNT/Blue Devils) and Reedsburg’s Paige Othmer (Badger Lightning/RWD/Blue Devils) collected an assist on the game winner.

RWD/Badger Lightning defender hustles back to her own end to gather a puck against the WEHL SouthEast team at the Wheels of Fire Tournament in Darien, IL. While helping defensively on a weekend that saw just one goal against in four contests, Othmer also contributed an assist for South-Central.

Against a familiar opponent, the WEHL SouthEast team (for the fifth time in two weeks), the South Central squad kept rolling with a 4-1 win. This time Brynn Brinkmeister is from Sun Prairie (Madison Mavericks/Wisconsin Jr. Stars) paced the attack with two goals and othes came from Phillips and Grudzinski.

The weekend finished where it started as South Central lined up Sunday against THEM Girls once again, getting a tougher challenge but still blanking the oppostion 3-0.

Othmer drew a penalty and it was on that powerplay the South-Central squad notched the game winner, Grudzinski pulling the trigger for her second of the weekend.

Insurance came late as Phillips stayed hot, scoring the clincher wrapping up a weekend that saw her score in every game, notching the easiest one of the stretch into an empty THEM Girls cage. Another empty netter from King put an exclamation point on it.

While the goals piled up for the South-Central squad, goaltending has been unreal this season so far as the goaltending trio of Lily Rosenthal from Sun Prairie (Madison Mavericks/Jr. Wisconsin Stars); Tomah’s Alexa Moore (TNT Hockey/Blue Devils) and Diana Hanson from Holmen (Coulee Region Stars/Jr. Chill/River Valley Fuse) have kept a clean crease five times in 10 games.

The 14U South-Central squad will be back in Lake Delton on Wednesday to prepare for a return to WEHL play this weekend as they travel to Cornerstone in Green Bay Sunday for a pair of games against North-Central/NorthEast at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The South Central team is 2-2-2 in WEHL league play and 6-2-2 overall heading into this weekend, but they have not played this team yet.

The WEHL South-Central squad took a minute after four games in Darien, IL to show off their medals and championship pennant won at the Wheels of Fire 14U Hockey Tournament this past weekend. The team will head into its second and final month of the WEHL season in Green Bay Sunday.

14U SouthCentral WEHL finds return match tougher

By Jim den Hollander

Editor/Publisher

Saukhockey.info

Photos Courtesy Jessica Othmer

After collecting a pair of shutout wins at the Lake Delton Ice Arena the previous weekend against SouthEast, the South Central 14u Girls Wisconsin Elite Hockey League (WEHL) team found it a little more difficult in Ozaukee this past weekend.

The tension from the previous weekend as the third and fourth consecutive meetings of the season saw some more physical matches in this hardfought rivalry. The SouthEast team found a way to the net in the opener, battling South Central for a 2-2 draw, then finally collecting a win with a 3-1 edge in the second contest.

South Central 2 SouthEast 2

Both teams led once in the first game but neither held the position for long. After a scoreless opening period, it was South Central on the board first board first with a goal by Tahni Barger from the Sauk Prairie Monkeys/Sauk Prairie Flyers with set ups for Carolina Cutrano and Abby Hollfelder, both Madison Mavericks.

Tahni Barger (right) and a 14U WEHL South Central teammate celebrate her goal to open the scoring at Ozaukee

That goal came with 4:43 to play in the middle period but teams were even 43 seconds later on a goal by Aly Schuster (Milwaukee Jr. Admirals/WCYHA/Them Girls).

Southeast led for the first time in three contests early in the third period on a goal by Josee Busse (Reedsville) but this time South Central battled back after trailing just 35 seconds with a goal from Brynn Brinkmeier (Madison Mavericks/Wisconsin Jr. Stars) and help from Maizy Fonseca (Monroe) and Samara Collins (Coulee Region Stars/AAA Blue Devils/River Valley Fuse).

Brynn Brinkmeier (red jersey) slams home the tying goal against SouthEast in the first of two games at Ozaukee on Sunday

SouthEast 3 South Central 1

The host team finally pulled out a win in the second game, a pair of unanswered first period goals standing up as the difference in the contest.

Brinkmeier scored the lone South-Central goal early in the final period from Olivia Dull (Waunakee), but Sydney Bertolino (Ozaukee Youth Hockey) scored her second of the game with 4:10 to go to restore the two-goal margin and clinch the win.

Brinkmeier’s second of the day had South Central within a goal in the second contest, but the host SouthEast squad added a late one to clinch the win.

Busse fired the other SouthEast WEHL goal.

The weekend results dropped the South-Central team to 2-3-1 in league play. The squad will take a break from WEHL league play and instead head to Darien, IL near the Windy City to take part in the Wheels of Fire Tournament, a massive event with several divisions of boys’ and girls’ teams.