By Scott Williams
Feb. 10, 2020
EAU CLAIRE – Top-ranked Central Wisconsin took the long trek over to the western part of the state for a showdown with the No. 2 Eau Claire Area Stars on Monday.
The Storm put on their rally helmets prior to the start of the third period and left little doubt who the best girls hockey team in the state was on this night.
Central Wisconsin stormed back with four unanswered goals over the final 17 minutes to grab an impressive 5-2 victory over the Stars at Hobbs Ice Arena.
Samantha Federici got the Storm back to even early in the third period when she scored off an assist from Makenna Kaczor to knot the game up at 2-2.
That was just the start of what would be a dominant final period.
Kassidy Oliva then gave Central Wisconsin the lead for good when she found the back of the net with 7:09 left in the final period. Eden Gruber and Dru Sabatke assisted on the go-ahead goal.
Gruber joined the scoring blitz a short time later with Lauren Wincentsen picking up an assist.
Trinity Foster would add another insurance goal before the final horn sounded to complete the comeback and give the Storm a momentum boost heading into WIAA tournament action.
Early on it looked as if Central Wisconsin would endure a long disappointing trip home.
Madison Schwengler scored at 4:04 of the second period to snap a 1-1 tie and give Eau Claire Area a one-goal lead heading into the final period.
The teams exchanged goals in the opening period.
Challis Prohaska staked the Storm to a 1-0 lead late in the first period only to have Cameron Carmody answer for ECA with 17 seconds left.
The win boosts Central Wisconsin to 17-3-2 overall.
