This story is sponsored by: Trudeau Construction and The Tile Guys
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
Audio: Click for full interview with Marshfield girls hockey coach Nate Sparbel
MARSHFIELD – The Marshfield girls hockey team has been gunning for the Central Wisconsin Storm since its loss to them in the WIAA playoffs last winter.
Monday’s game shows that the Tigers still have a little way to go to catch up with the No. 1 team in the state.
The Storm scored four goals in the second period, three in a 2-minute span, on their way to a 5-0 shutout of No. 4-ranked Marshfield in a Great Northern Conference game at the Marshfield Youth Ice Recreation Arena.
The win gives the Storm sole possession of first palce in the GNC at 5-0, while Marshfield falls to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the conference.
Marshfield was outshot 26-15 and got very few solid shots on goal. All-state goaltender Hillary Drake stopped all 15 of Marshfield’s shots, while Ashley Bauer had 21 saves for the Tigers.
The Tigers fell behind when Sarah Poirier scored with 10:38 left in the first period and never recovered.
The Tigers had five shots on goal in each period, but only a few were tough for Drake to handle.
“We came out flat-footed, on our heels, and I don’t know if the girls were too confident or what,” Marshfield coach Nate Sparbel said. “They definitely did not play their game of hockey, they played the Storm’s game. Obviously, they lost to a very good team.”
The Storm extended their lead in the second period. Kylie Gazzolo scored 4:24 into the period and Megan Marlowe, Gazzolo and Cassidy Daly netted goals in a span of 1:58 to put the game out of reach.
Marshfield skated evenly with the Storm in the third period, but couldn’t slip one in the net.
After losing three times to Central Wisconsin last year, Marshfield had hoped this would be its year to topple what has been the top team in the area over the past three years. The Tigers will have to wait for the rematch on Jan. 31 at D.C. Everest, and perhaps another chance in the playoffs.
“Anytime you face the No. 1 team in the state, it’s intimidating for them,” Sparbel said. “They lost the races to the puck and that’s what lost them the game. They played a great third period, once they found out they could play with them.”
Marshfield will play three games in three days starting next Monday against Middleton at a tournament in Blaine, Minn.
Storm 5, Tigers 0
Central Wisconsin 1 4 0 – 5
Marshfield 0 0 0 – 0
First period: 1. CW, Sarah Poirier (unassisted), 6:22.
Second period: 2. CW, Kylie Gazzolo (Poirier, Myranda Hayes), 4:24; 3. CW, Megan Marlowe (ua), 11:08; 4. CW, Gazzolo (Poirier), 12:12; 5. CW, Cassidy Daly (Sarah Parsells), 13:03.
Saves: CW, Hillary Drake 5-5-5-15; M, Ashley Bauer 9-7-5-21.
Records: CW, 6-0, 5-0 Great Northern Conference; Marshfield 5-1, 3-1 GNC.