Co-op hockey team ousted by Edgewood

Sauk Prairie’s co-op hockey team — which includes skaters from Mount Horeb, River Valley, Wisconsin Heights and Riverdale — upset Sun Prairie, 3-1, in a regional semifinal on Feb. 13. But the Eagles’ season ended with an 8-1 loss to Madison Edgewood in a regional final on Feb. 16. Sauk Prairie finished its season with a 15-9 record. In the Eagles’ win over Sun Prairie, the Cardinals struck first with a goal at the 8:25 mark of the first period. But just 3 ½ minutes later, Gunnar Nachreiner answered with an even strength goal on an assist from Karsyn Banta that evened things, 1-1. Sauk Prairie grabbed a 2-1 lead with just 45 seconds left in the second period when Josh Mast had a power play goal that Brock Hill assisted on. Hill then scored at the 6:08 mark in the third period on an assist from Colin Harrington that gave the Eagles a 3-1 advantage. William Anderson finished with 28 saves for the Eagles and earned the win in net. It was a different story three nights later when ninth-seeded Sauk Prairie ran into top-seeded Madison Edgewood. The Eagles struck first when Connor Grant scored on an assist from Thor Peterson just 3:16 into the game, giving Sauk Prairie a 1-0 lead. But the Crusaders (21-3) ripped off eight straight goals and cruised to the win. Edgewood scored twice before the first period ended, then added three more goals in the second period and took a 5-1 lead. The Crusaders added three more goals in the third period. Harrington finished the year as the Eagles’ leader in goals (34), assists (17) and points (51). Landon Froese (10-15-25) and Samson Begalske (7-18-25) tied for second in total points, while Grant (8-12-20) and Banta (7-11-18) were fourth and fifth, respectively. Anderson finished the season 13-8 in net with two shutouts and an .870 save percentage