Friday, January 23
Portage Lake Pioneers 4, Fond du Lac Bears 3 (OT)
In a highly anticipated matchup between the GLHL’s two top teams — and the two clubs that have met in each of the last two league championship games — Portage Lake edged Fond du Lac 4–3 in overtime Friday night at the Blue Line Family Ice Center. Brett Hauswirth scored twice for the Pioneers, and Spencer Donnelly ended the game with just 26 seconds remaining in overtime to secure the win. Fond du Lac answered every push from Portage Lake, getting goals from Blake Spies, Josh Austin, and Nolan McDermott, and outshooting the Pioneers 50–42. While Portage Lake came away with the victory, the Bears remain the only team this season to force the Pioneers to overtime.
Box Score
Mosinee Papermakers 6, Eagle River Falcons 2
Mosinee pulled away with a four-goal third period to earn a 6–2 win over Eagle River in game one of the annual River Cup on Friday night. Trey Zagrzebski and Nicholas D’Avolio each scored twice for the Papermakers, with Zagrzebski opening the scoring early in the first and adding an insurance goal midway through the third. Greg Hanson and Eli Robinson also found the back of the net as Mosinee made the most of its chances despite being outshot 39–25. Ryan Miech was sharp in goal, turning aside 37 shots to anchor the win. Eagle River goals came from Austin Redders in the second period and Charles Adams late in the third, but the Falcons couldn’t slow Mosinee’s surge once the game opened up in the final frame.
Box Score
Saturday, January 24
Eagle River Falcons 8, Mosinee Papermakers 1
Eagle River responded in emphatic fashion on Saturday night, rolling to an 8–1 win over Mosinee at The Dome in Eagle River. The Falcons controlled play from start to finish, outshooting the Papermakers 58–18 and scoring in every period. Todd Koritzinsky led the charge with a hat trick and an assist, while Lucas Otto, Layne Roeser, Byran Kronberger, Lochlan Siegmeier, and Jacob Robinson (empty net) also found the scoresheet. Mike Madosh was steady in goal, stopping 17 of 18 shots to backstop the dominant home performance. Mosinee’s lone goal came on a second-period power play from Trey Zagrzebski, but Eagle River’s depth and pace quickly put the game out of reach in the third. With the win, the Eagle River Falcons also claimed the annual River Cup over the Mosinee Papermakers, awarded to the team that scores the most total goals across the home-and-home weekend series between the two rivals.
Box Score
De Pere Deacons 5, Calumet Wolverines 4
De Pere held off a late push from Calumet to secure a 5–4 win Saturday night. The Deacons built an early 3–1 first-period lead, saw the Wolverines rally to take a 4–3 advantage in the third, then responded with two goals in the final 2:07 to complete the comeback. Kole Altergott tied the game before Michael Stahl delivered the go-ahead goal just 42 seconds later. Grady Coppo led De Pere with a goal and two assists, while Jake Jankowski made 32 saves as the Deacons outshot Calumet 52–38 in the home victory.
Box Score
Portage Lake Pioneers 10, Sun Prairie Killer Bees 4
Portage Lake continued its dominant run Saturday night, rolling past Sun Prairie 10–4 at Sun Prairie Ice Arena. The Pioneers set the tone early with five first-period goals and never let up, outshooting the Killer Bees 72–33 on the night. Spencer Donnelly led the offensive onslaught with four goals and two assists, while Brett Hauswirth and Dawson McKay each added two goals and two helpers. Dylan Farmer chipped in a pair of goals as Portage Lake’s depth overwhelmed Sun Prairie in all three zones. Joey Ferraro paced the Killer Bees with a goal and three assists, but the Pioneers’ relentless pressure proved too much to overcome.
Box Score
