Ice Bears claim back to back State Titles

MIDDLETON — The Bay Area Ice Bears (De Pere co-op)secured their second consecutive WIAA State Title with a 5-4 victory over the St. Croix Valley Fusion (River Falls co-op) in a battle that lasted until the final second. 

The Ice Bears had a dominant first period, jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead, a showing reminiscent of last year’s 8-0 victory over DC Everest. 

Though they spent much of the first few minutes on the defensive as goalie Reese Spiering kept them in it, a power play goal on a shot from Aisling Buchan changed the Ice Bears’ momentum, giving them a 1-0 lead. 

Buchan ripped a shot from distance 40 seconds into the power play, assisted by Captain Addison Dahl and Lilly Lyons. 

A little over a minute later, the Fusion’s Morgan Kivel headed to the penalty box for body checking, giving Ice Bears another opportunity to capitalize. 

The Ice Bears jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Dahl netted the second goal of the game, assisted by Faye Brunke and Buchan with just under 5 minutes remaining in the first period. 

At the 15:23 mark, senior Ava McDonald headed to the penalty box for roughing, but the Ice Bears kept their foot on the gas netting their third goal of the night by Brunke with 43.6 seconds remaining in period 1. 

“For sure it’s emotional,” said Ice Bears Head Coach Mike Buchan. “We got up 5-1 and sometimes it’s harder to play when you’re up…. We’re up 3-0 and the end of the first period and there’s lots of game left.” 

As the game progressed into the second period, River Falls continued to press the Ice Bears’ defense. 

With 12:17 remaining in the second period, Madison Engels headed to the penalty box for the Ice Bears for interference. Not only did the Ice Bears manage to hold off the River Falls offensive drive for the 2 minute power play, but Lyons and Audrey Trudell put together a run towards the River Falls net forcing Katelyn Gustafson to make a save. 

The Fusion found themselves on the board with 6:26 left in the second period when Jane Volgren managed to scoop the puck past Spiering on an assist from Lily Mitti, leading to a 3-1 score that would hold until the third period. 

Just 32 seconds into period 3, Brunke ended the Ice Bears’ dry spell on a slapshot from distance, assisted by McDonald and Buchan. 

With 8:19 left to play, Brunke secured a State Final hat trick on an assist from Mya Sheppard and Jordyn Clarke. 

Despite the 4-goal deficit, the Fusion rallied late in the game, proving their tenacity and forcing the Ice Bears on the defensive. 

“It’s easier to play as an underdog. I don’t know how much of an underdog they were — we’re the No  1 seed, they’re the No. 2 seed — but there’s pressure (for us). These girls have dealt with that all year. We get every team’s best game,” said Mike Buchan.

With 4:21 left to play, the the Fusion’s Emma Larsen found the back of the net on an assist from Jane Volgren, shifting the momentum of the match and bringing a three-goal streak for the Fusion. 

Just over a minute later, Volgren slipped the puck past Spiering to cut the deficit to 5-3. 

Though, just minutes before, the 5-1 Ice Bears lead seemed insurmountable, the Fusion’s Oaklie Holldorf made it anyone’s game when her shot from distance ricocheted past Spiering to bring the score to 5-4. 

Yet, as the time expired, Buchan managed to freeze the puck along the boards, bringing the Ice Bears their second consecutive WIAA State Title. 

“That’s what championship teams do. These seniors, these girls, this is their fourth trip here. This is their fourth championship game at State. Thats why they were on the ice and that’s why they were out there. There’s a huge trust factor there with them,” said Mike Buchan.