Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 January 2016 17:34
By Andrew Vitalis
Lakeshore Lightning
If you are a numbers person, the numbers are staggering. Think about this: In 17 overall games this season, the Lakeshore Lightning have allowed one or fewer goals in nine of them. Nine. As a matter of fact the Lightning have only allowed more than three goals twice this season. With that type of defensive display, it should be no surprise that Lakeshore (co-op of Homestead, Cedarburg, West Bend West, Port Washington) averages less than two goals allowed per game.
Leading the way is senior goalie Erin Connolly who has played every minute this season to this point, racking up five shutouts (and counting) along with a goals-against average of 1.83 and a save percentage of over 94 percent. Currently winners of three straight, the Lightning allowed just two goals during that stretch which included a 3-1 win over Bay Area. Now 10-7 overall (as of Jan. 26), Lakeside is skating into arguably their most difficult part of their schedule with back-to-back games against the Metro Lynx and Fox Cities Stars. Fox Cites is ranked No. 9 in the state according to the most recent WiPH state poll (15-2-1 overall).
Central Wisconsin
If the idea is to peak at the right time, things are falling right into place for Central Wisconsin, currently the No. 1 team in the state according to the most recent WiPH coaches poll. The Storm recently rolled through the Big Rivers Conference with wins over Chippewa Falls/Menomonie (9-3), Hudson (4-3) and St. Croix Valley (5-0). It was the first time all season that St. Croix Valley has been held without a goal.
Clearly the Storm are at their best when they flex their defensive muscle. Now 14-4 overall, in their four losses this season Central Wisconsin gave up 24 goals. In their 14 wins they have given up just 18 (including six shutouts).
That does not mean programs can rest on the Storm’s talent to light the lamp. Central skates onto the ice with three players who have registered more than 30 points this season, including Emily and Elizabeth Bauer (35 and 34 points, respectively). Katelyn Ramthun leads the way with 24 goals and 15 assists.
The strength of the Storm is growing and will continue to build with just four seniors on the roster (only one senior defenseman). Stacking up the experience this season for Central are two sophomore goaltenders- Chloe Westberg and Athena Kayler. The weather warning is out to the rest of the teams in the state. Take cover and hold on.
Western Wisconsin
While there is clearly a large difference in goals allowed between Central Wisconsin’s wins and losses, for Western Wisconsin a similar trend has developed for the Stars who find themselves 5-4-1 over their last 10 games. In those five wins, Western WI scored 28 goals, notching five or more goals in each of the wins. On the flip side, on the season, in their seven total losses, the Stars have scored just 10 goals.
Now 6-7-2 overall, Western Wisconsin will get a lift to close out the season with five of their last six games at home. The Stars play their home games at the Somerset Arena and New Richmond Sports Center/Ice Arena.
Hayward Co-op
If the secret wasn’t out before, it is now (sorry). When junior sniper Jenna Curtis scores, the Hurricanes win; when she doesn’t, they don’t. Seriously, look at the statistics: When Curtis scores at least one point, the Lightning are a perfect 11-0 (14-7 overall). When Curtis is held off the scoresheet Hayward is 3-7. Just recently, after a scoring drought, Curtis has racked up points over her last seven games (7-11--18 during the stretch) and has now scored 39 points on the season (16-23--39). Scoring in bunches is not new to No. 22. Curtis has registered three points in a game seven times this season, including seven points in one game to start the season in Hayward’s win over North Shore.
OK, I have a confession to make: Shutting down Curtis is not the only key to success when facing off with Hayward these days. Fellow junior Amber Heidenreich is also enjoying a banner season with 37 points to this point (23-14--37) in the season. Heidenreich has been held without a point just six times the entire year and when she fails to appear on the scoresheet, the Lightning are just 1-5 During Hayward’s most recent win on Jan. 26 (9-2 win over Superior), Curtis scored one goal and added three assists while Heidenreich had five goals and one assist.
Hayward will close out their regular season with two of their last three games at home, including a battle with rival Proctor/Hermantown (Minn).
WSFLG Blizzard
The positives can be seen in every corner of the ice. Every save. Every shot. Every battle for the puck. The WSFLG (Siren, Grantsburg, Cumberland, Webster) Blizzard are making strides – tremendous ones. As a co-op struggling constantly with the challenges of a growing program, the Blizzard continue to make their fans proud with what they have done on, and off, the ice.
Two players in particular have caught the eye of onlookers this season. Standing tall between the pipes have been goalies MacKenna Johnson and Bayzhia Taylor. As it often happens with programs who are frequently playing opponents with more time/numbers under their belt, both Johnson and Taylor have found themselves dodging pucks from every direction this season. Both have excelled. Johnson, who faced 56 shots and 62 shots respectively over her last two games, is facing more than 47 shots per contest. Still, despite the constant barrage, she has managed to stop over 88 percent of the shots she’s faced. Over Taylor’s last three games played, the netminder faced 37 shots twice and 66 shots against Western Wisconsin. Trial by fire is an understatement.
Currently 0-12 on the season, the Blizzard will try to grab their first win of the year on Feb. 2, against Hayward. After that, WSFLG closes out the season with battles against Superior and Onalaska.
Andrew Vitalis writes columns in LPH geared towards Wisconsin hockey. He can be reached at lphprep@yahoo.com.
