Overtime goal sends SPASH hockey to state

The SPASH Panthers won in a thriller over Hudson on Feb. 27 in the sectional final in Chippewa Falls.

The Panthers struck first at 5:43 of the opening period when Teddy Westrick found the back of the net at even strength. Jerome Poirier assisted on the play, helping SPASH seize early control.

Hudson answered just over two minutes later. At the 8:00 mark, Buchanon Franta evened the score with a goal of his own, assisted by Logan Destasio and Caiden Spreiter. The quick response set the tone for a tightly contested matchup, and the period closed knotted at 1–1.

SPASH wasted no time reclaiming momentum in the second period. Just 1:51 into the frame, Max Mittelsteadt capitalized at even strength, finishing a well-executed setup from Benny Abbott and Ethon Fischer. The early strike gave the Panthers a 2–1 edge and shifted pressure back onto the Raiders.

Hudson pushed to respond but was unable to break through before the intermission, as both teams tightened defensively through the remainder of the period.

The Raiders came out strong in the third. At 1:43, Henry Kullman delivered on the power play, converting a key opportunity with assists from Will Mauer and Eric Palm to tie the game at 2–2.

SPASH responded once again at 3:34 when Grant Molski scored at even strength, assisted by Grady Miller and Beckett Carroll, restoring the Panthers’ lead at 3–2.

But Hudson refused to go away. With just under four minutes remaining in regulation, Spencer Bullis found the net at 16:06, finishing off a play from Will Mauer and Eric Palm. The late equalizer sent the contest into overtime, tied 3–3.

In the extra session, both teams generated chances before the Panthers sealed the win. At 2:24 of overtime, Jackson Flees delivered the decisive blow, scoring at even strength off an assist from Grady Miller. The sudden-death goal completed the Panthers’ 4–3 victory and sparked an on-ice celebration.
Flees on his game winning goal, “I did not see it go in, I just took a shot when we got the puck back and saw that goal horn light up.”

The SPASH Panthers head to Middleton for the WIAA state hockey championships to take on De Pere/West De Pere in the semifinals on March 6.