USM 5 vs BROOKFIELD CO-OP 2

University School defeated the Brookfield Co-op team 5-2 on Friday night at The Ponds in Brookfield.

USM got the game’s first goal on a power play.  USM set up in the Brookfield end and moved the puck around with machine-like precision. From the point, Senior Alex Tesensky passed it to junior Aaron Storch in the left circle. Storch sent it cross-ice to junior Simon Leahy who one-timed it past Brookfield’s senior goalie Doug Gorand at 6:31 of the first period.

USM made it 2-0 late in the first period.  While the Wildcats cycled the puck in the Brookfield zone, senior Augie Fritz passed it to sophomore Corey Roadhouse, who was skating along the left boards.  Roadhouse flipped the puck to senior defenseman Charlie James at the center point.  James let fly a high shot that hit the stick of a Brookfield player in front of the net and parachuted behind Gorand at 15:40.

Brookfield closed the gap early in the second period.  In the USM end, Senior Garrett Johnson sent a pass to sophomore Brandt Rogers at the point, and Rogers slapped a quick shot past USM’s senior goaltender Dan Smyczek at 1:15.

Undeterred, USM swiftly scored again just seconds later.  Sophomore Nathan Burke got control of the puck in the USM end.  Burke spotted junior Aaron Storch skating into center ice and lined a pass to Storch.  Skating between the two Brookfield defensemen, Storch grabbed the puck like it was a welcomed invitation to a Sadie Hawkins Day dance, and sped off on a breakaway.  He moved in on Gorand and snapped the puck under his blocker at 1:47.

Late in the second period USM made it 4-1 on a power play.  In the Brookfield zone, senior Ian Crimmins got the puck in the right corner from Leahy and slid it up the boards to junior Ian Palin at the hash marks.  Palin stepped into the circle and took a shot.  The puck popped off of Gorand’s glove and dropped into the net at 15:37.

USM furthered its lead at 9:12 of the third period.  Like he was filling his shopping cart, Tesensky gathered a loose puck near the USM blue line and skated toward the Brookfield end on a two on one with senior Michael Sullivan.  Crossing the line, Tesensky blazed a high shot that flew by Gorand like a jet to make the score 5-1.

Brookfield scored a goal with seconds left in the game to salvage some dignity.   Sophomore Max Hoffmann snatched the puck from an unwary USM defensemen, who seemed to be handling a grenade instead of a puck in front of the USM net.  Hoffmann twirled and sent a low shot into the net at 16:45.

In the game Smyczek made 18 saves, while Gorand made 25.

Brookfield is now 10-11.  The Stars host Oconomowoc at The Ponds at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 6th.  USM improved its record to 11-7-3.  The Wildcats travel to the Madison Ice Arena to play Madison Edgewood at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 6th.