Hilltoppers play Hudson at 5 p.m.
Onalaska High School’s boys hockey team is back in Madison today for another shot at a state championship.
The first test for the Hilltoppers (24-3) comes at 5 p.m. at the Alliant Energy Center in the quarterfinals against Hudson (23-4).
“(They) get to play in a big building, high ceiling, big logos in the ice, fans all over the place,” Onalaska coach Tim Ebner said.
This is Onalaska’s second trip to the state hockey tourney in three years. In 2014, the Hilltoppers finished the season the state runners-up, losing to Vernoa 6-1 in the championship.
To get there again, Ebner believes it will be important to “get the nerves out” early and concentrate on defense.
“We’re going to have to minimize errors, mistakes, turnovers,” he said, “but really take care of our D zone and play good coverage there in order to get the puck out of the zone and have the offensive chances.”
STATE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
at Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wis.
Today’s games
Game-1: Eau Claire Memorial (23-3-2) 5, Antigo Co-op (23-4-1) 1
Game-2: Appleton East Co-op (24-2) vs. University School (19-6-2), in progress
Game-3: Hudson (23-4) vs. Onalaska (24-3), 5 p.m.
Game-4: Edgewood (19-5-3) vs. Waukesha North Co-op (22-3-2), 7:15 p.m.
Friday, March 4
Game-5: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2, 5 p.m.
Game-6: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4, 7:15 p.m.
Saturday, March 5
Championship Game, 2:15 p.m.