By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
ASHWAUBENON – A rough second period for the Green Bay Notre Dame hockey team spelled defeat in a 4-0 loss to Neenah in a WIAA sectional final game Feb. 22 at the Cornerstone Community Center.
After a scoreless first period where Notre Dame (14-7-6) outshot Neenah (19-3-2) by an 8-3 margin, the Rockets scored three goals in the middle period to take a commanding lead into the second intermission.
“I’m proud of this group to get to the sectional final,” said Notre Dame head coach Cory McCracken. “Neenah played well – they were the better team and deserved the win. They do a nice job defensively, and we struggled to generate any offense five-on-five. I thought we had a good first six or seven minutes of the game, but then we had to juggle our lineup a little bit.”
The Tritons were trying to get back to state in Madison for the second consecutive season, while Neenah will be making its first-ever appearance.
Notre Dame had chances on the power play but was 0-for-6 with the man advantage and gave up two short-handed goals.
Neenah’s first goal, which came at the 3:41 mark of the second period, came short-handed.
Its second goal was also a bit unlucky for Notre Dame, as Mason Marquardt came streaking out of the penalty box just as his minor penalty expired, took a pass in stride and then beat Tritons goalie Bo Buckley for the Rockets’ second goal in 50 seconds.
“Neenah is an opportunistic team,” McCracken said. “Our puck management has been our Achilles heel all year long. We didn’t manage the puck very well at the end of our power play on their first goal and then they got one coming out of the box a little later. It was a bang-bang play, and we didn’t defend it well.”
The Tritons’ best scoring chance came late in the first period when Sawyer Scholl hit the post on a shot with seconds remaining.
Notre Dame pulled Buckley late in the game and gave up the final goal on a turnover in its own zone.
Despite the loss, the future looks bright for the Tritons, which will lose just two seniors in Cole Whatley and Ethan Motquin from its current 22-man roster.
“The message to the guys after the game was simple,” added McCracken. “I told them they had a really good season and should be proud of what they accomplished. They are a hungry group and will be back next year.”
Box score
Notre Dame: 0, 0, 0 – 0
Neenah: 0, 3, 1 – 4