Post Messenger Recorder -

The Avalanche traveled to Hodag Country for the Bantam A Tournament January 6-8, and came home with the first place trophy! Leading up to the victory the Avalanche first took on a physical Wisconsin Rapids team, shutting them out 4-0. Hayden Roth put up two goals, assisted by Cade Janecke, Tessa Janecke and Anika Einbeck. During a shift switch, Ryan Molitor, surrounded by Rapids players, squeezed in a goal. Haley Knauf fired one for the blue line and Luke Kuberski tipped the puck for the final goal. The Avalanche outshot Rapids 51-17.

The Avalanche faced off against Rhinelander Hodags in the second game. The Avalanche controlled the entire game, winning 8-3. Scoring were Cade Janecke, Anika Einbeck, Cooper Dreyfus (2), Luke Kuberski, Hayden Roth (2) and Broc Kuberski. Goaltender Jayden Johnson recorded 21 saves.

Sitting in first place by one point going into the final game, the Avalanche knew there was a lot on the line. It was a battle in the first period with the Iron Mountain Kings AA team ending in no score. On a power play in the second period, Cade Janecke lit the lamp on a pass from Tessa Janecke. The Avalanche found the back of the net two times in the third period, scored by Anika Einbeck and Cooper Dreyfus. The Hodags felt the pressure and kicked up their game responding with two goals, but fell short. Jayden Johnson was once again strong in net for the Avalanche. The Avalanche came away with a 3-2 victory, a first place tournament trophy, and a Hodag victory appearance.

Congratulations to the Bantam A team on a tremendous first place finish!