UPDATED: Spartans skate past Old Abes

The Superior High School boys hockey team improved to 2-0 on the season with a 5-2 win over the Eau Claire Memorial Old Abes Saturday afternoon at Wessman Arena.

Superior took a 3-0 lead early in the third period, but ECM made things interesting with a pair of goals to get within 3-2.

The Spartans sealed the victory with empty-net goals by Daniel Litchke and Nolan Holcombe.

“It’s nice to be 2-0 and it’s nice to beat Eau Claire Memorial for the first time in I believe four years,” SHS coach Jason Kalin said. “I’m very happy with the victory but we do have a number of things we have to work on. In the second and third periods we got a little behind, I think penalties hurt us.

“The key was that we came out strong and played well in the period. We came out strong and got two quick ones on them. I think that’s the reason we won the game.”

Senior defenseman Chris Bishop scored both Spartan goals in the first period from the same spot in the left circle.

Bishop’s first goal made it through a screen after taking a pass from Tyler Plunkett 2:32 into the game while his second goal was a slap shot after a pass from Gerald Mikel with 1:53 left in the period.

In a scoreless second period Superior outshoot Eau Claire Memorial 10-7.

Superior had two power-play chances to one for ECM, but the play of the period came when SHS goaltender Joel Pettingill stopped ECM’s Hunter Scott on a breakaway with less than a minute left in the period.

Superior took a 3-0 lead 54 seconds into the third period when Mitch Kontny scored with an assist from Bishop.

Pettingill came up big again when he stopped Neil Klingensmith on a breakaway about three minutes into the final period.

“Joel Pettingill played a heck of a game,” Kalin said. “He was in good position all night and did an amazing job. He had a nice paddle save in the first period, swatted it right out of the air, and then a couple right at the end.”

The Old Abes finally solved Pettingill when Alexander Dahl scored while skating on a 5-on-3 power play with 10:15 remaining in the third period.

Hunter Scott’s goal with 3:11 remaining got ECM within 3-2.

ECM called a time out and eventually pulled its goalie with less than a minute remaining.

That’s when Plunkett assisted on Litchke’s empty-netter and Caleb Dushin helped out on Holcombe’s first goal of his high school career.

Pettingill finished with 29 saves for Superior and Saxton Soley had 19 for ECM.

“Memorial is a great team and made things interesting,” Kalin said. “They had a unorthodox break out that we had to adjust to, but once we did that we did pretty well.

“I’m very proud of our effort. We got caught running a bit on defense and need to shore up a few things in our defensive zone, but overall the boys put out a good effort and did a good job.”

The Spartans host Cambridge-Isanti at 7:30 p.m. Friday then play at 2 p.m. Saturday at New Richmond.

SPARTAN SPIN: The Spartans are once again ranked No. 2 in the wisconsinprephockey.net state poll. Wausau West remains ranked No. 1. … The SHS JV won 3-2. Luke Darwin, with an assist from Dane Sislo, scored the game-winning goal with 1:27 remaining in the third period. Darwin and Sislo also scored Superior’s first two goals. … Those planning on attending the New Richmond game are asked to help out the New Richmond Five Loaves Food Shelf. Non-perishable food items will be accepted at the New Richmond Sports Center.

Eau Claire Mem. 0 0 2 — 2

Superior 2 0 3 — 5

First Period: 1. SHS, Chris Bishop 1 (Tyler Plunkett 3), 2:32 (4-on-3). 2. SHS, Bishop 2 (Gerald Mikel 1), 15:07.

Second Period: No scoring.

Third Period: 3. SHS, Mitch Kontny (Bishop), 0:54. 4. ECM, Alexander Dahl (Neil Klingensmith, Mark Munger), 6:45 (5-on-3). 5. ECM, Hunter Scott (Kapla), 13:49.

Saves: Saxton Soley, ECM 3-10-6—19. Joel Pettingill, SHS 10-7-12—29.

Eau Claire Memorial 0 0 2 -- 2

Superior 2 0 3 -- 5

First Period: 1. SHS, Chris Bishop 1 (Tyler Plunkett 3), 2:32 (4-on-3). 2. SHS, Bishop 2 (Gerald Mikel 1), 15:07.

Penalties: Kat Herzog, ECM (tripping), 1:37. Kellen McCoshen, SHS (elbowing), 1:49. Andrew Knickerbocker, ECM (interference), 2:20. Steven Mikel, SHS (tripping), 6:13.

Second Period: No scoring.

Penalties: David Dalbec, SHS (charging), 2:17. Shayne McLaughlin, ECM (cross checking), 6:40. Michael Kapla, ECM (too many men on ice), 10:09. McCoshen, SHS (elbow), 10:42. Alexander Dahl, ECM (cross checking), 14:47.

Third Period: 3. SHS, Mitch Kontny (Bishop), 0:54. 4. ECM, Alexander Dahl (Neil Klingensmith, Mark Munger), 6:45 (5-on-3). 5. ECM, Hunter Scott (Kapla), 13:49.

Penalties: Andrew Bronson, SHS (high sticking), 3:06. Mathew Knapp, ECM (high sticking), 3:06. Scott, ECM (high sticking), 4:34. Kontny, SHS (hooking), 5:22. Jake Mergen, SHS (elbowing), 6:27.

Saves: Saxton Soley, ECM 3-10-6—19. Joel Pettingill, SHS 10-7-12—29.

Tags: sports, superior, hockey, spartans