Bulldogs rally to advance
State tourney victory a first for Cedarburg
— “The Streak” was in grave danger. So was Cedarburg’s season.
The Bulldogs were sluggish and inconsistent for the first two periods of their WIAA state quarterfinal game Thursday. The result was a 2-1 deficit against Reedsburg Co-op at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
“I told them, ‘ You guys have found a way to win all year long,’” Cedarburg coach Dale West. “We had not played our hockey yet, we had 17 minutes to fix it and we had to find a way to win this one.” They did. Cedarburg struck for two goals in the first 3:17 of the final period, played stellar defense down the stretch and held on for a thrilling 3-2 win. The Bulldogs won a state tournament game for the first time in school history and extended their streak to 24 straight games without a loss.
Cedarburg hasn’t lost since Dec. 12, a remarkable span of 83 days. In that time, the Bulldogs are 23-0-1 and have outscored their foes, 100-23.
Cedarburg (24-2-2 overall) meets Superior (12-15-1) in a state semifinal at 5 p.m. Friday.
“We were a little down going into the (third) period,” said senior forward Evan Gabel said. “But coach came in and gave us some words of wisdom. He came in and said, ‘Guys, we’re not playing our best hockey right now. We’re losing our composure, but I know we’re going to win.’”
Gabel certainly did his part. Just 37 seconds into the third period, he sent a rocket from the top of the right circle through the legs of 6foot-2, 230-pound Reedsburg goalie Mike Olson.
The short-handed goal tied the game, 2-2, and was Gabel’s team-leading 21st goal of the season.
“Five hole,” Gabel said. “Big goalies don’t drop as well, so that’s where I wanted to go.”
Just 2:40 later, sophomore forward James Furey notched the eventual gamewinner. Furey stopped on a dime in the left circle and then beat Olson near side to give the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
“This is huge for us,” Furey said. “Any team here has a chance. But no one on our team has any doubts we can make it to Saturday.”
There had to be some doubt early on.
Just 38 seconds into the game, Cheavers freshman forward Dylan Brown had a breakaway and beat goalie Matt McCoy for a quick 1-0 lead. The Bulldogs got the equalizer with 5:24 left in the first period when senior forward Kyle Samera corralled a rebound in front, and beat Olson for a 1-1 tie.
Brown was back at it just 3:47 into the second period, though. Cedarburg left a puck loose in the defensive zone, Brown picked it up, then beat McCoy for a 2-1 Reedsburg lead.
But the Bulldogs turned it on, and kept their dream season alive.
“It’s great,” said West, now in his eighth season as the Bulldogs’ boss. “It’s another first for this team. They’ve found a way to win all year long, and now was not the time to stop.”
Superior 4, Janesville Craig/ Parker 2: The Spartans (12-15-1) started fast, getting an unassisted goal by sophomore Troy Shold at the 2:51 mark of the first period and a second score from senior Tyler Nystrom at 5:55.
Janesville (17-9-2) came back to tie the game with two goals in the second period, but a power-play goal by senior Grant Hanson at the 4:38 mark of the third period was the game-winner. Junior Shane Tetzlaff and senior Anthony Bronson got the assists.
Madison Memorial 4, Eau Claire Memorial 3: The Spartans (22-5-1) did all their scoring in the first 15 minutes as four players scored. The one that proved to be the difference was junior Jacob Padley’s goal at 14:48 off assists by seniors Cory Dennis and Ty Pelton-Byce assists at 14:48.
Two third period goals, the second at the 16:12 mark, tightened up the game for Eau Claire Memorial, which finished 19-6-3.
Wausau West 4, Appleton East Co-op 3: Down, 2-1, West (21-4-3) got goals from senior Andrew Lee, sophomore Christian Bardarson and senior Sam Radenz to take control.
East (22-5-1) made it close on junior Nathan Zilisch’s goal at the 9:05 mark of the second quarter, but sophomore Paul Weise made seven saves in the final period to
seal the victory.