USM 3 vs MADISON EDGEWOOD 1

In the 2010 version of an old high school hockey rivalry, University School defeated Madison Edgewood by a 3-1 score at the Madison Ice Arena Saturday night.

USM took the lead early in the first period while on a power play.  In the Edgewood end, USM junior Simon Leahy fed the puck to senior Alex Tesensky at the left point.  Tesensky moved into the near circle and returned a cross ice pass to Leahy.  Leahy scorched a one-timer past Edgewood’s junior goalie Alex Witz at 4:47.

The Wildcats increased their lead at 8:42 of the second period while the teams skated 4 on 4.  In the USM zone, sophomore Nathan Burke passed the puck to his defensive partner, senior Charlie Wigdale, who skated into center ice.  Wigdale lined a pass to Tesensky, flying along the boards toward the Edgewood zone.  Crossing the blue line, Tesensky swerved into the high slot and bulleted a shot over Witz’s glove.

USM scored again in the third period on another power play. In Edgewood’s zone, Burke collected an Edgewood clearing attempt at the blue line and fired a shot on goal.  The rebound squirmed into the high slot past several players converging on the crease.  USM senior Ian Crimmins stepped to the puck and lofted a shot over Witz, who was at his wit’s end trying to per through the melee in front of him.  Time of the goal, 9:03.

Edgewood tallied its lone goal on a power play late in the game.  The puck slid to senior Sam Daniels at the point, and two USM penalty killers chased after it.   Daniels chipped the puck into the corner to sophomore Taylor Brown.  Seeing that the USM defenseman had vacated his position to chase the puck, Brown skated unchallenged into the low circle and laced a shot past USM’s senior goaltender Dan Smyczek at 13:10.

In the game, Witz made 28 saves while Smyzcek stopped 20 at the other end of the ice.

Edgewood is now 14-6-2.  The Crusaders host McFarland at the Madison Ice Arena at 8:00 p.m.  on Thursday, February 11th.  USM is now 12-7-3.  The Wildcats have Senior Night when they play the Appleton United Co-op team in USM's final regular season game at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February  9th.