Peewee Cheavers overcome rough start

By Jim den Hollander

Editor/Publisher

Saukhockey.info

The RWD Peewee ‘A’ Cheavers entered the 2021-22 Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association (WAHA) campaign through a gauntlet of tough opponents.

As a result, the team took its share of lumps with five losses and a tie through its first six contests. But a key win against the regional rival has turned things around.

The Cheavers avenged a 4-2 loss on home ice against the Sauk Prairie Flyers on Nov. 6 with a 2-1 edge against the same team at Sauk Prairie Area Recreation Center (SPARC) a week later and a pair of lopsided wins Nov. 14 has the peewee squad riding a three-game winning streak.

The games against the Flyers have appeared on Saukhockey.info earlier. Following is a quick wrap on the other seven games in the order they were played.

Verona Wildcats 8, 5 @ RWD Cheavers 1, 1

The Cheavers opened the regular season on Halloween weekend with a pair of games against the ‘A’ Wildcats.

After dropping an 8-1 decision early on Oct. 30, the same two teams returned to the ice later the same day and while the Wildcats won again, the Cheavers trimmed the margin a bit.

Dayne Wagner scored the lone goal in both games, gaining satisfaction of shattering the shutout bid of Brooke Terrien just 67 seconds from the final buzzer in the opener.

Andrew Stando collected an assist in the second game and Jesse Arnold picked up 20 saves in goal in both contests.

McFarland Spartans 1 RWD Cheavers 1

On Halloween Sunday, the Cheavers engaged in a tight defensive battle with the visiting Spartans.

Ian Boresh fired the only shot of 23 to get by Arnold in the second period but Landen Uminski pulled it back for RWD in the third with an unassisted goal.

RWD Cheavers 2, 0 Dubuque Fighting Saints 10, 10

The Fighting Saints feasted on the Cheavers on Nov. 7, taking a 10-2 win the first game at Mystique Ice Arena and following it up with a 10-0 shutout.

RWD carried a 2-1 lead out of the opening period in the first game and were even at 2-2 with a period to play before the home side exploded for eight third period markers.

Tyler Krieski scored both RWD goals, Uminski collecting an assist on the first one.

RWD Cheavers 7, 9 @ Black River Falls Tigers 4, 3

Following its win at Sauk Prairie, the Cheavers made the trip to Black River Falls on Nov. 14, taking a pair with a 7-4 win in the opener and 9-3 in the getaway game.

RWD was up 4-1 after a period in the first game, and 6-3 heading to the third, both teams adding one more down the stretch.

Uminski paced the squad with three goals and an assist, Ethan Wilcox adding a goal and a helper and other goals for Dietl, Stando and Krieski. Arnold collected the win with 18 saves.

The second game saw the Cheavers open with a four-goal first again, this time carrying a 4-0 cushion to the second and up 7-1 heading to the final frame.

Uminski wrapped up a seven goal, eight-point day with four goals, Ethan Pope adding two goals and a helper. Wagner notched a goal and assist with other goals for Krieski and Wilcox. Teaghan Geffert set up one of the goals and Arnold added another win with 24 saves.

The 3-5-1 Cheavers enjoyed a rare weekend off this past weekend and will look to build on its winning streak hosting the Viroqua Blackhawks for a pair of games Sunday at 1:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.

Meyer fires five to pace Squirt Cheavers

By Jim den Hollander

Editor/Publisher

Saukhockey.info

The RWD Squirt B Cheavers hockey team got its season off to a solid start, battling Dodgeville Ice Wolves to a 2-2 draw in its opener Saturday at the Reedsburg Area Recreation Arena (RACA) and a 6-1 win against the Polar Ice Caps from Madison on Sunday morning.

While her teammates enjoyed a big offensive weekend, led by Owen Meyer who fired five of them – four in the game Sunday, Aria Gada enjoyed an awesome, but in the end heartbreaking weekend in goal as she allowed just three goals in six periods.

The Polar Caps enjoyed a bit of a consolation on Sunday as the team’s lone goal denied Gada a shutout bid with one second remaining to play on the team’s 19^th shot of the contest. The good news is Gada has plenty of more chances to nail down a shutout and she will no doubt record several in goal for the Cheavers.

Talon Burton and William Fenwick also collected goals on Sunday. Joel Dotts collected two assists in the game with others going to Thomas Bowen Jr., Tenley Vander Wilt and Bentley Meyer.

The Squirt B Cheavers were back in the rink Monday preparing for its next two games this weekend as the team will again play host, Saturday against the Verona ‘C’ Wildcats at 2:15 p.m. and Sunday at 2:45 p.m. against the Sauk Prairie Squirt ‘B’ squad.

The Squirt ‘B’ Flyers will also play host to the same Verona Wildcats squad on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Scott hat trick helps Squirt A Cheavers tame Ice Dogs

By Jim den Hollander

Editor/Publisher

Saukhockey.info

The Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association (WAHA) opened for many local teams this past weekend including the RWD Squirt ‘A’ Cheavers with some promising results.

After an 8-2 win against the Dodgeville Ice Dogs in its opening match at the Reedsburg Area Community Arena (RACA)on Saturday, the Squirt Cheavers battled back late but fell just short in a narrow 3-2 loss to the Middleton Cardinals Sunday.

Squirt A Cheavers 8 Dodgeville Ice Wolves 2

The Cheavers were clearly eager to get the regular season going, blasting off to a 5-1 first period lead and wrapping it up with three more in the middle frame.

Rainier Scott enjoyed a huge weekend which started with a hat trick and an assist in the opener. Cole Renneberg added a pair while Briar Messer collected a goal and assist. Braydan Potter and Jamison Haag scored the other goals and Caleb Backeberg added a couple assists.

Jase Uminski played in goal for the Cheavers, kicking out 14 shots to nail down his first win of the season.

Griffin Hanson and Brayden Lydic scored the Ice Wolves goals.

Middleton Cardinals 3 Squirt A Cheavers 2

On Sunday, the Middleton ‘B’ squad paid a visit to RACA for a much tighter defensive battle.

The lone goal through the opening two periods was a first period tally by Gavin Shaw of the Cardinals in the opening period but two goals, eight seconds apart early in the third had the visitors up 3-0. Owen Raulin and Cole Klein scored the Middleton markers.

Scott finally got the Cheaves on the board with 5:03 to play and notched his fifth of the weekend with 1:51 remaining to get the Cheavers within a shot of tying it up. That was as close as they would get through, Nora Walker picking up an assist on the first goal.

Uminski kicked out another 20 shots in goal for the Cheavers, Carson Kraus stopping 11 in goal for the Cards.

The Cheavers will carry the 1-1 record into next weekend, an even busier stretch with three more home games. On Saturday, the Cheavers will welcome the Sauk Prairie ‘A’ Flyers at 11 a.m. and on Sunday, the Middleton ‘C’ Cardinals will be at RACA for an 8:45 a.m. faceoff while the Waunakee ‘C’ Wildcats at 3:30 p.m. at the Lake Delton Ice Arena.

Barger goal starts up 14U South Central sweep at Lake Delton

By Jim den Hollander

Editor/Publisher

Saukhockey.info

The South-Central 14U Girls Wisconsin Elite Hockey League (WEHL) team rallied back from a pair of opening weekend defeats against the West squad with back-to-back shutouts against the South-East WEHL squad at Lake Delton Ice Arena Sunday (Sept. 12)

Goaltenders Alexa Moore, from Tomah (TNT/Blue Devils) kicked out 20 shots in the first encounter, a 3-0 win for South-Central and Lily Rosenthal from Sun Prairie (Madison Mavericks Jr. Wis. Stars) turned aside another 10 in the second game, won by the locals 1-0.

In the opener, South-Central scored once in each period, beginning with Tahni Barger a DeForest native that played with both the Sauk Monkeys and Sauk Flyers along with Wildcat Youth Hockey. Barger drained a long range shot from just inside the blue line 20-seconds from the end of the opening period. Olivia Dull from Waunakee had a set up on the goal by Barger.

Barger is one of three Sauk County blue liners on the team – joined by Reedsburg’s Paige Othmer (Badger Lightning, RWD, Blue Devils AAA) and Sarah Hash, a Middleton native that played with both the Sauk Prairie Flyers and Sauk Monkeys as well as the Wisconsin Jr. Stars. Also on the team is Baraboo’s Reese Olson (Badger Lightning, Blue Devils AAA).

Other home team goals came from Anna Phillips from Black River Falls and Carolina Cutrano, also Waunakee (Mavericks).

Teams played through a pair of 15-minute frames settling nothing, although the South-Central team held an edge in both shots and control of the contest.

Ironically, the only goal of the contest came with South-Central shorthanded as Dull put one in under the cross bar, spoiling an otherwise brilliant effort from Elizabeth Bowers of Cedarburg (Ozaukee Youth Hockey) who stopped all but one of the 46 shots she faced, often two or more at a time.

Head Coach Jared O’Neill was pleased with the effort of his team (see video interview below) as the team evened its Before Season record at 2-2.

Sarah Hash carries the puck backed up by South-Central teammate Tahni Barger

South-Central defender Paige Othmer lugs the puck through the neutral zone in action at Lake Delton Ice Arena against the South-East 14U WEHL team.

South-Central forward Reese Olson gets a little physical to get control of the puck against the SouthEast 14U team at Lake Delton Ice Arena Sunday.

Members of the South-Central 14U WEHL team celebrate a second period goal by Anna Phillps against the South-East squad at Lake Delton Ice Arena. The local side won both games — 3-0 and 1-0 and will make the trek to Ozaukee for the return matches next Sunday.

Peewee ‘B’ Cheavers see both sides of blowout matches

By Jim den Hollander

Editor/Publisher

Saukhockey.info

The RWD Peewee ‘B’ Cheavers found themselves on both sides of blowout contests on the weekend.

After absorbing a lopsided 9-2 defeat at the hands of the Waunakee C1 Peewee Wildcats on Saturday, the Cheavers took its frustrations out on the West Madison Polar Caps with a 9-3 win on Sunday. Both games were played at the Reedsburg Area Community Arena (RACA).

On Saturday, the Wildcats scored a pair before Caydence Putz converted a pass from Cassidy Putz late in the first period for the Cheavers. The Wildcats added two more in the final 75 seconds though and carried a 4-1 cushion into the middle period.

Jenna Garbacz collected the other RWD tally 5:40 into the second, but the visitors widened the gap to 7-2 by the start of the final period.

On Sunday teams traded early goals and the Polar Caps were up 2-1 before the home side moved in front to stay with two in the final 3:08 of the opening period.

By the end of the middle frame, the Cheavers owned a 6-3 lead and piled on another three down the stretch.

Dayne Wagner enjoyed a huge game for the Cheavers, scoring five goals and setting up another. Two of his goals came in the opening period with Aiden Knull scoring the other and adding an assist.

Andrew Stando also scored twice, and the other goal came from Cassidy Putz. Vladimir Barabash picked up a third period assist.

Mason Matteson was in goal for both games, stopping a dozen on Saturday and kicking out 19 on Sunday.

The weekend split leaves the Peewee ‘B’ Cheavers at 8-9-3 on the season so far and they will once again look to reach the .500 plateau with another two-game weekend coming up. On Saturday, the Cheavers will once again host the Polar Caps followed by a Sunday game against the Sauk Prairie Flyers Peewee ‘B’ squad. Cheavers have played the Flyers twice earlier this season, dropping an 8-5 season at Sauk Prairie Area Community Arena (SPARC) in their second game of the season, Nov. 28, then turning in a closer match, before succumbing 6-5 at RACA Dec. 20.

Dietl sinks game winner for Peewee Cheavers

The RWD Peewee ‘A’ Cheavers hosted the Onalaska/Holmen Tornado and earn a split Sunday (Dec. 27) at Reedsburg Area Community Arena (RACA).

The Cheavers used a pair of unanswered third period goals to snag a 3-2 win in in the opening contest Sunday morning but the visitors turned the tables later rallying from a 2-1 deficit for a 4-3 edge with three third period goals.

In the first game, Tornado opened the scoring early and carried a 1-0 cushion into the middle period.

Wyatt Arnold pulled one back for the Peewee Cheavers, but the Tornado responded to recapture the lead heading to the third.

The lead held up until Elizabeth Haag fired the tying goal with 2:24 to play in the contest. Seven seconds later, Hailey Dietl pounced on the rebound of a shot by Arnold to put the Cheavers in front for the first and last time.

Shown below is Hailey Dietl’s game winner

Jordan Kowalski turned in a stellar effort between the pipes, helping his team to the win despite being outshot 34-29. Kowalski kicked out all but one of the 17 shots he faced in the opening period.

In the return match it was the Cheavers carrying the slim lead into the final frame as goals from Tyler Krieski and Dietl about five minutes apart had the Cheavers up 2-1 with 17-minutes to play. Assists on the goals went to RJ Manley and Paige Othmer.

Tornado hit the board with four seconds to play in the second, then tied it early in the third and scored two goals in 21 seconds to take control in the middle part of the period.

Krieski notched one more in the dying seconds but it wasn’t enough to avoid the split.

Sunday’s games boost the Cheavers’ overall record to 16-7 and the Tornado edge in the second game snapped the latest Cheavers’ winning streak at four games.

The team will keep home ice advantage with another three games coming up this weekend. The first will pit the Cheavers against Regional rival, Monroe Avalanche in a 2 p.m. test on Saturday (Jan. 2). On Sunday, the Cheavers will prepare for another big Regional match with a 9:15 a.m. game against Waunakee Wildcats before the Sauk Prairie Flyers hit the ice for a 12:30 p.m. meeting.

The Cheavers have yet to face Monroe this season but dropped a tough 8-2 decision to the Flyers at SPARC in Prairie du Sac on Nov. 28. In another previous meeting on Nov. 7, also at RACA, the locals collected a 3-0 goose egg against the Wildcats.

Squirt Cyclones wrap up third at Hayward tournament

Pictured are members of the South Central Cyclones Squirt A team who finished third at a Hayward tournament this past weekend. Team members include: Landen Uminski; Hailey Dietl; Tyler Krieski; Dayne Wagner; Lukas Schulz; Joseph Patton; Ethan Wilcox; Ethan Pope; Teaghan Geffert; Evelyn Gurney; Jenna Garbacz; and Olivia Renneberg

The South Central Cyclones Squirt A squad wrapped up a third place showing at a tournament in Hayward this past weekend.

The local squad battled three Minnesota-based teams, starting with an impressive 8-1 win against the Waconia Wildcats in the opener Saturday morning, then dropping a 7-1 decision to the Woodland Whalers later the same day. In the third place match on Sunday, the Cyclones pulled out a 2-1 against the Duluth Heights Hornets.

In the first game, the Cyclones opened a 3-0 first period lead and owned a 5-1 cushion heading to the final frame.

Landen Uminski paced the offence in the opener, scoring three goals and adding an assist and Ethan Pope collected a goal and three assists. Hailey Dietl notched a goal and two assists, Tyler Krieski and Joseph Patton adding a goal and assist apiece. The other goal came from Ethan Wilcox and Dayne Wagner collected an assist.

Olivia Renneberg picked up the win in goal, stopping all but one of the 22 shots she faced.

The Whalers owned a 2-0 cushion after a period and widened the gap to 5-1 in the second. Uminski fired the lone Cyclones goal unassisted and Renneberg turned in a 23-save performance.

In the third place contest, the Hornets scored the lone first period goal but an unassisted goal from Teaghen Geffert tied the score in the middle period. Uminski stepped up with the game winner with 6:22 to play in the contest and Renneberg turned aside 10 shots for her second win in goal.

This Saturday will be the last chance to catch the local Squirts in action as they are scheduled to play a pair at the Reedsburg Area Community Arena and as of now, they are the final games on the team’s 2019-20 schedule. At 10 a.m. the locals will take on Tomah Timberwolves Squirts and Sauk Prairie Flyers will be the opposition for the 2:30 p.m. finale.

Cyclones, Lightning, Flyers and Monkeys head to Regionals

Regionals are here for all of the local youth hockey teams.
Beginning tonight and running through the weekend, every level in Region 4 will go through Playdowns with the victors advancing to the state championship tournaments in March.
The South Central Cyclones and Badger Lightning will have eight teams taking part in Regional events this weekend while the Sauk Prairie Flyers and Monkeys girls team will total a half dozen teams, including one that is drawing an automatic bid to state and enjoy a weekend off.

South Central Cyclones Squirts (U-10)
All three Squirt teams will be trying to qualify but it will be a tough run. The Squirt A squad will begin the 2A Playoffs at McFarland against Oregon at 1 p.m. Saturday with the winner of that game advancing to the Regional championship Sunday against Janesville at 9:15 a.m. at Verona. The state tournament will be at McFarland March 7-8.
The B squad will follow the A side with a 2:15 p.m. game at McFarland on Saturday, taking on the Oregon B’s. Winner of this game will advance to the Regional final Sunday at 8 a.m. at Verona against either Janesville or McFarland. The Regional champion will earn a berth at the State Championship Tournament March 7-8 at Menomonie.
The C’s will get an early start on what could be a busy weekend, playing McFarland in a 6 p.m. game at Vernona tonight (Friday). The winner of that will move into the second round against Janesville Black, Saturday at the Ice Pond in Waunakee, starting at 6:45 p.m. That semi-final winner will face either Janesville Blue or Oregon for the Regional title at Verona Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Squrit 2C State will take place March 7-8 at Washington County and it appears in this Division both finalists will qualify for State, the Regional Runner Up grabbing a Wild Card spot.

Sauk Prairie Flyers Squirts (U-10)
The Squirt Flyers finished on top in league play and draw a bye straight to the Regional championship game against either Stoughton or Monroe Sunday at 8 a.m. at the Ice Pond in Waunakee.
Winner of that game will represent Region 4 at the Squirt 3A State Championship tournament at Waupaca March 7-8.
The Flyers’ Squirt B team has drawn an even better bye, an automatic bid as the Regional rep at the 3B State tournament to be played at Marshfield March 7-8.

Sauk Prairie Peewees/12U Girls

The Sauk Prairie Monkeys U-12 Girls Hockey team will be at the Ice Pond Sunday at 9:15 a.m. to square off against the Dane County Diamonds. The winner will represent Region 4 at the State 12U B Championship event to be hosted by the South Central Cyclones March 14-15.
The Sauk Peewee A team also moves straight to the Regional championship game, facing Monroe Sunday at the Ice Pond in a 12:15 p.m. start for the right to play at the 3A State Championship March 14-15 at Black River Falls.
The Sauk Prairie B team will play in the 2C playdowns beginning at Oregon, 11 a.m. Saturday against the McFarland Peewees.
Winner of that game will move on to play in the Regional championship match Sunday at the Ice Pond in Waunakee with a 10:45 a.m. faceoff. The Region winner will take part in the State 2C Championship tournament at Somerset, March 14-15.

South Central Cyclones Peewees

The Peewee A Cyclones will begin its quest at the Ice Pond on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. against Janesville with the winner advancing to play for the Region 4 Crown Sunday at Sun Prairie (Tubbs) at 11:30 a.m. against either Oregon or McFarland.
The 2A State tournament will be played at Elmbrook March 14-15.
The Peewee B squad will begin on Saturday at Hartmeyer Arena in Madison with a 2:45 p.m. faceoff against Oregon. Winner of that battle moves into the Regional championship game against either McFarland or Janesville at Sun Prairie (Tubbs), Sunday at 10 a.m. Region champion will move on to play at the State 2B Championship tournament at Eagle River March 14-15.

South Central Cyclones Bantams/U-14 Badger Lightning
The U-14 Lightning steps into the post season event Saturday at 6:15 p.m. against Maverick A at McFarland with the winner moving into the Regional championship game against either Jr. Fury or Maverick B Sunday at Oregon with an 11 a.m. faceoff.
The U-14 State Championship will be played March 7-8 at West Salem.
The Bantam A Cyclones will play at Verona, 12:30 p.m. Saturday against Janesville with the winner advancing to play either Oregon or McFarland Sunday with an 11 a.m. faceoff at Sun Prairie (Cardinal). Winner of that game will represent the Region at 2A State to be played March 7-8 at Hayward.
The Bantam B Cyclones will also start at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, but at Oregon against Janesville with the winner advancing to meet Oregon or McFarland Sunday in a 9:30 a.m. at Sun Prairie (Cardinal). Regional champion will be invited to the State 2B Championship tournament at Sheboygan March 7-8.

Sauk Prairie Flyers Bantams
The Sauk Prairie Bantams, made up primarily of players from last season’s Peewee State Championship team, will face Monroe in a win or go home Regional Championship game Sunday at Hartmeyer Arena in Madison at 1:15 p.m.
The Bantam 3A State Championship tournament will be played in Rhinelander March 14-15.