State Champs!

MIDDLETON — The Bay Area Ice Bears (27-1) saw an 8-0 victory over defending State Champions Central Wisconsin Storm (23-6) in their WIAA State Hockey Final to claim their second State title in three years after last season’s runner-up finish. 

The Ice Bears also broke a WIAA Tournament record for the biggest girls hockey State Final win since the inception of girls hockey as a WIAA  sport in 2002, with the help of Faye Brunke’s 4 goals paired with Reese Spiering’s shutout in the net. 

Though the Storm kicked off the game by putting the Ice Bears on the defensive, the Ice Bears were able to find momentum just 2 minutes into play with a slap shot from distance by Alanna Dunks that sailed just high of the net. 

Though the Storm continued to test the Ice Bears defense, a goal by Faye Brunke, assisted by Mya Sheppard and Julianne Bradford with 13:12 remaining in the first period put the Ice Bears out in front. 

Goaltender Reese Spiering saved a retaliatory low shot by the Storm a minute later to retain her team’s lead. 

An assist from Tiana Stindt and Emily Bill helped Brunke ring the far post for another goal, securing a first period brace with 5:21 remaining. 

Despite the early lead, the Storm remained competitive as both teams traded hits, one leaving Bill slow to get back up on her skates at center ice with 3:30 left in the period. 

Spiering’s stick save with 2:30 remaining brought her to 3 saves at the end of the first period — a testament to the Ice Bears’ defensive tenacity. 

Brunke ripped a shot to open the second period that was blocked by Storm goalie Cami Flohr. 

A one on one battle at the net led to a goal by Bill, assisted by Bradford and Brunke just 2:37 into the period to bring their lead to 3-0. 

Bill and Bradford kept the offensive spark alive with a shots on goal, continuing to test Flohr’s ability in the net. 

With 6:45 left in the second period, Brunke’s 

slapshot from distance was followed up by Bradford for goal to bring the score to 4-0 going into the final period of play as the Ice Bears rounded out the last few minutes with a strong offensive press. 

The final period would be a historical one for both Brunke and the Ice Bears. 

The Storm kept the game physical despite facing a four goal deficit. 

A Storm slap shot from distance was snatched out of air by Spiering with 9 minutes on the clock keeping her shutout alive. 

A breakaway goal by Brunke, assisted by Ava McDonald, with 8:24 left in game continued the Ice Bears momentum.

Just one minute later, Lily Lyons netted her first goal of the game by tipping in a Hannah Von Hayden slapshot from distance. 

With the 6 goal lead, the Ice Bears seemingly clinched their victory by securing a running clock for the remainder of the game. 

Addison Gady’s assist to Rachael Beek brought the lead to 7-0 in the final minutes. 

A backhanded finish by Brunke — assisted by Bill and Bradford — secured the Ice Bears’ title-worthy 8-0 victory, as well as her fourth goal of the game. 

Spiering’s shutout amounted in 16 saves to Flohr’s 23. 

The Ice Bears had 31 shots on goal to the Storm’s 16.