The Bay Area Ice Bears won their second straight state title and third in their last four years, but not before they held off a rally by the St. Croix Fusion, to earn a last-minute 5-4 victory March 7 at the Legacy20 Arena in Middleton.
“First off, St. Croix Fusion, Class A organization, had a heck of a season,” Ice Bears head coach Mike Buchan said. “You know, gave us everything that we could handle. They’re a great hockey team, well coached and pushed us the whole time. Just hats off to them.”
Buchan then turned to his two seniors, Addison Dahl and Faye Brunke.
“They battle, this group, they battled all year,” he said. “You know again, it’s just the determination of this group, I can’t express the words. From our leadership from these two girls right here, from Ava McDonald and Anna Von Haden, our seniors have really driven the bus.”
Dahl and Brunke played a part in all five goals as the Ice Bears built a seemingly safe 5-1 lead. Brunke established herself as the most dominant player in state tournament history with a hat trick and a record 13 goals in eight games. Together with linemates Aisling Buchan, who contributed a goal and three assists and Lily Lyons, two assists, they accounted for four of their five goals. Dahl assisted on the first goal and scored the second goal.
The Fusion comeback began at 11:23 in the third period. The team connected on three goals within four minutes.
The final 47 seconds felt like an eternity for the Ice Bears, as Bay Area kept the puck on the perimeter and ran out the clock.
The win for the Ice Bear family, the first team to play in four straight championship games, was significant. It is their fourth state title, moving them ahead of the Fusion and one behind the Central Wisconsin Storm at the top with five.
Wisconsin Prep Hockey contributed to this report.
