Panthers, Red Raiders clash for the first time on ice in 2022-23
By Jacob Heid
STEVENS POINT — The Stevens Point Area Senior High boys hockey team suits up for another go-around with Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln, this time on the ice. The Panthers look to sweep the two-game series again like they did a season ago. The puck drops at 7 p.m. today at K.B. Willett Ice Arena in Stevens Point.
Both teams have found the back of the net quite regularly in the first ten games. SPASH has only been held under three goals in three games, while Rapids has scored three or more in all but one game this season. Both average over four goals per game. The offensive zone is the talk of the game, but how the two rivals defend the ice will become the difference. The Panthers give up less than two goals per game to their opponents. The Red Raiders allow just over three.
The game should have an exciting, fast-paced feeling, with a lot of playmaking out on the ice. SPASH likes to play aggressive offensive hockey early, and sophomore Jackson Schroeder is a beneficiary of that. The Panther forward leads the team with ten goals on the season. Senior Kade Smigaj, the leading scorer from a year ago, is the assists leader with 18. He only has four goals this year. Senior Mason Keller and freshman Grant Molski have seven and six goals, respectively, to follow Schroeder.
For Rapids, multiple forwards have hit the double-digit goal mark. Junior’s Carsen Gause and Josh Dekarski have combined for 24 goals this season. Gause has 14, while Dekarski is right behind with ten goals.
K.B. Willett Ice Arena should be electric tonight for this WVC matchup. SPASH comes in at 7-3 (4-0), with Rapids sitting at 7-3 (2-1). You can follow Jacob Heid on Twitter at JacobHeid_15 for updates on the game.