St. Mary’s Springs rolls into hockey title game
MADISON - It's easy to look at St. Mary's Springs' 7-2 blowout of Rice Lake in Thursday's WIAA Division 2 state boys hockey semifinal at the Alliant Energy Center and assume the offense had a stellar day.
Oh, it did.
The seven goals, 30 shots on goal and 4-2 advantage in power-play opportunities are all testaments to the scoring prowess of the Ledgers.
But as well as the offense functioned, Springs head coach John Welsch was also quick to point out that the defense had a great day, too.
"I know we have some kids that can really skate," Welsch said. "And with our ability to skate, I think we can possess the puck and just kind of work. We like to play offense. But we probably had 10 blocked shots and we scored a goal off a blocked shot. So we know the importance of defense just as well."
The Ledgers (23-3-2) will need both phases playing at an optimum level as they compete for their first state title at 9:30 a.m. Saturday against Northland Pines (25-3).
"Obviously it was a great win for us today, but we're not done and we're not satisfied," Springs junior Brady Welsch said. "We want to keep going."
Northland Pines 9, Somerset 2: Riley McGee and Gunnar Schiffmann scored first-period goals for the Eagles, who improved to 25-3. They pulled away with four unanswered goals in the second period. McGee, a junior defender, finished with one goal and three assists.
Girls
Middleton 5, Beloit 2: The Cardinals (21-3) scored three first period goals, two shorthanded, in the semifinal win. Sophomore forward Rachel Mirwald had two goals for Middleton.