Caleb Kiesow scored twice and goalie Walker Smith stopped 27 shots as the Waupaca boys’ hockey team picked up its first win of the season, a 4-1 decision over Fond du Lac St. Mary’s Springs Nov. 30 at the Waupaca Expo Center.
Waupaca also fell to Wisconsin Rapids 3-1 Nov. 27.
Waupaca 4, FDL Springs 1
WAUPACA – Kiesow scored his first goal off of an assist from Brandon Bolen and found the net later in the first period off of assists from Jared Erickson and Beau Ash.
The Comets added their lead on Sam Menzies’ power play goal, with Ash and Jared Erickson getting credit for the assist. Erickson wrapped up the scoring with an unassisted goal.
“It was such a great effort tonight from our leaders and young guys,” coach Dave Crisman said. “We really tried to focus on understanding our role within our system of play tonight. We played hard, clean, physical hockey, which showed by us taking only two penalties to their five.”
The key goal came from Menzies, according to Crisman.
“The movement of the puck from Jerry and Beau opened up such a great lane for him to move into to put that puck into the net,” he said. “Walker Smith was very steady and composed in the net tonight. I felt like the energy from the large crowd really kept him focused.”
Springs defeated Waupaca 3-1 in the junior varsity game.
Smith had five saves in the first period and Alex Librande put the pads on for the first time to record 10 saves in periods 2 and 3. Elliot Crisman had the lone goal for the Comets with Bolen and Jakub Kliestik getting the assist.
“Our young guys are starting to develop good game habits in relation to our forecheck and defensive zone coverage,” Crisman said. “With using a new goalie for the majority of the game, we really hung in there.”
Wisconsin Rapids 3, Waupaca 1
WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Kiesow opened the scoring with a first-period goal off of Aaron Dahle’s assist, but the Raiders came up with three unanswered goals.
Smith finished with 36 saves, including 18 in the second period alone.
Waupaca played in Waupun Dec. 4 and will open Great Northern Conference play at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, in Rhinelander. The Comets will also host Tomahawk at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11.