Wausau West, Central Wisconsin Storm win sectional championships and spots in next week’s State Tournament. Mosinee falls to Tomahawk.

The Wausau West boys and Central Wisconsin Storm girls hockey teams have punched their tickets to the WIAA State Tournament in Middleton next week after thrilling wins in the sectional finals this weekend while the Mosinee boys fall to Tomahawk in a sectional final for the 2nd straight year.

Wausau West earns the 18th trip to the State Tournament after beating Eau Claire Memorial 3-1 in the D-1, Sectional 1 Championship Game in Chippewa Falls on Friday night, a game that was broadcast live on 98.9 WXCO. After a scoreless first period, the Warriors got goals from Chase Crass and Hendrix Damrow to take a 2-0 lead after 2 periods. West looked to take charge in the first minute of the 3rd period when Cooper DePuydt scored and gave West a 3-0 lead. However, Eau Claire Memorial would respond two minutes later to cut the deficit to 3-1 on a Peyton Huls goal and the Warriors started spending a lot of time in the penalty box. Behind the stellar play of sophomore goalie Julian Scalcucci, West was able to kill off four ECM power plays in the 3rd period and hold on for the win. Scalcucci stopped 36 of the 37 shots he faced as West will take a 19-6 record into the State Tournament. The Warriors are seeded 2nd for state and will face 3rd seed and 2-time defending D-1 state champion Notre Dame Academy in a state semifinal on Friday at 2 pm. You can hear the game live on 98.9 WXCO, wxco.fm, mobile devices by searching WXCO and on the Civic Media app starting with the pregame at 1:35 pm.

It wasn’t easy on Saturday but the defending champion Central Wisconsin Storm will be returning to state after beating Hayward 2-1 in overtime in Menomonie, also a game broadcast live on 98.9 WXCO. The Storm started the extra session on the power play and were able to take advantage. At the 1:02 mark of OT, Gabi Heuser grabbed a rebound and beat Hurricanes’ goalie Makenna Hutchison to spark a huge celebration and give the Storm another sectional title. Jayden Yirkovsky had given the Storm a 1-0 lead at 6:52 of the second period on a perfect shot into the upper right hand corner of the net. Hayward responded late in the period on a Savannah Harris goal. Hayward had the best chance to win it in regulation when they had a 1:52 of 5 on 3 power play time late in the 3rd period. However, the Storm was able to kill off the penalties and then received a power play chance of their own in the final seconds of the 3rd that they converted early in the OT. Central Wisconsin goalie Cami Flohr made 15 saves in the win. The Storm take a 22-4 record into state and also are seeded 2nd. The Storm will meet 3rd seeded Eau Claire Area in a state semifinal Thursday night at 7:30. The Storm beat ECA twice in the regular season, though the 2nd meeting went to OT. Hear the CWS-ECA state semifinal Thursday night on 98.9 WXCO, online at wxco.fm, mobile devices by searching WXCO and on the Civic Media app beginning with the pregame at 7:06 pm.

In Division 2, for the second straight year the Tomahawk Hatchets came into Mosinee and beat the hosts for a trip to state. Tomahawk beat Mosinee 5-1 to return to the state tournament for the second season. After Sawyer Hanna gave Tomahawk an early 1-0 lead at the 5 minute mark, Mosinee got even just 30 seconds later as Elliot Yirkovsky lit the lamp. However, Jonah Dickens gave the Hatchets the lead for good with less than two minutes to go in the opening period. Brayden Lamer would add two goals and Jett Reilly would also score for Tomahawk, the #1 ranked team in the state in Division 2. Tomahawk receives the #1 seed for the D-2 state tournament and will open the action on Thursday morning at 9:30 am vs. 4th seeded McFarland.

The entire WIAA State Tournament schedule at Bob Suter’s LEGACY20 Arena in Middleton:

DIVISION 1
Friday, March 7 – (Semifinals) 
Game 1 – #1 Brookfield vs. #4 Edgewood- 10 a.m.
Game 2 – #2 Wausau West vs. #3 Notre Dame – 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 8 (Championship) 
Game 3 –  Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 – 7 p.m.

DIVISION 2
Thursday, March 6 (Semifinals)
Game 1 – #1 Tomahawk vs. #4 McFarland – 9:30 a.m.
Game 2 – #2 Amery vs. #3 Somerset/Saint Croix Fallx – 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 8 (Championship) 
Game 3 – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 – 11 a.m.

GIRLS

Semifinals – Thursday, March 6 
Game-1 –  #1 Bay Area Ice Bears vs, #4 Cap City Cougars – 4:30 p.m.
Game-2 –  #2 Central Wisconsin Storm vs. #3 Eau Claire Area Stars – 7:30 p.m.

Championship Final – Saturday, March 8
Game-3 – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 – 3 p.m.