Big High School Sports Show 1/21/26: Marathon girls BB coach Jeff Schneider, DC Everest hockey senior Cole Van Slyke and basketball referee Matt Kleinhans

And welcome back it is the big high school sports show on 98.9 WXCO online at WXCO FM Mobile devices and Alexa by searching WXCO on the civic media app and also on the 98.9 WXCO YouTube channel with BJ Brandt I am Chad Holmes and man we are just

We were packed here tonight.

It is.

We're going to get a lot of guests tonight.

We're going to hear a lot of people's perspective on sports.

It's great.

It's like a, but it's like a, you know, a dentist office.

We have, you know, they come into the waiting room and then we bring them in.

And next up is our student athlete guest for this week from DC ever senior high school senior for the evergreen hockey team.

Cole Vance like and Cole.

Thank you for coming on over.

Yeah.

Thank you for having

me.

Well, the thing about it as well is that I was looking at your schedule this week.

You got a busy week.

Generally.

I mean, because you have a game tomorrow night and schedule.

for Friday, we'll see what about the weather and all that.

But

it's a real busy time.

And I want to sort of give up maybe a little window into the student athlete here.

On a busy week like this, you got school, you got everything else in your life, and then you got all these hockey games, how do you put it all together?

A week like this, where again, that's a very busy week.

Yeah, it's really busy, but so it's kind of nice we have finals, so we get out of school at like 11 every

day.

Then we don't have school Friday for our Gaming and Sun Prairies, so that'll be...

Nice rest day.

Very good.

Talk about that difference though.

So a day that you have school and your game day routine versus the not having school that day in your game day routine, do you think there's a difference in how, how your team plays, how you plays versus school and no school?

Um, I do.

I feel like the games, like we've had a lot of Saturday games and when we get more rest and like eat as a team, I feel like better results normally come, but yeah.

You're somebody that's been on the varsity since you were a freshman.

Talk a little bit about the process.

How do you feel differently on the ice or as a player now than you did as a freshman?

Because, I mean, when a freshman is thrown out there, it's like, again, physically you're a lot smaller, again, experience-wise.

How much of a difference in terms of the player that you are today than the first time that you stepped on to a varsity hockey rank as a DC Everest Evergreen?

I feel like a big part of it is confidence.

And I guess I had a lot of older kids that showed me the right way to do it and kind of helped me through, which really, really helped.

Well, you're one of three van slikes in the program right now talk about what it's like to To be able to be on a team with your brother I don't know how often that happens in your hockey career when when when you're a couple years apart and obviously You're the relationship with your dad and how that's been for your for your career.

Yeah, I play with my brother.

It's pretty cool There's been a couple times we've almost had a van psyched advance like

but not

yet Yeah, playing for my dad's really cool

Trying to embrace the last couple games and

Let me jump in there when you talk about the relationship We just had a coach on who has his daughter Jeff Schneider has his daughter on on the team right now And he talked about how you know you have to still have those lines But you and your dad are there any lines when it comes to well, we're not gonna we're not gonna talk hockey Are we or there's or is it always hockey at how how?

How do you take it home with you?

I guess it's a question.

Yeah, normally we don't take it home like too, too hard.

We try to talk about like other stuff and my mom normally gets in the middle of it

sometimes

breaks it up the subject and changes it up.

How is that balanced though?

Because you can say as much as you want to leave it at the rink.

Is it hard to leave it at the rink or is that just it?

Like, hey dad, I'll talk to you about it when I get to the

rink.

Mean it's hard because I always want like feedback from him and Sometimes the losses come home a little bit but not too hard normally get over him pretty quick is there as a

Are you one of the captains this year for I have yes, okay?

You have your role as a captain as a elder statesman being a four-year varsity guy to the guys feel like you have a

an additional in with the coach?

I mean, if there's something that as a captain, because sometimes you have conversation with players and you're trying to keep everybody, I think, going in the right direction.

Is it at all awkward at times when maybe there's an issue within the team with your dad being that coach?

I mean, sometimes awkward, but it doesn't get too bad.

The guy's kind of respects me for me not just being a coach's son, which is nice.

So throughout your career, you eclipsed the 100-point mark this year, and obviously your roles have changed over the years.

Talk about what that's been like for you.

I mean, you've had a lot of on-ice success individually in terms of production, and just talk about what that is for the past four years for

you.

Yeah, I've got to play with some really good teammates, and they've made it pretty easy.

I felt like just over the years, it's been better and better.

Hopefully you finish off strong.

Thank you.

We're talking to coal bands like DC ever senior for the evergreen hockey team here on the big high school sports show on 98.9 WXEL Has there been a highlight so far in your career now?

I'm sure that you hoping for some really big highlights coming up in the next about six weeks or so But up to this point has there been a either a game a moment for yourself?

That's been the big highlight of your high school hockey career.

Oh boy, um

I think this year's most in the game was pretty high and maybe a

trick up.

Yeah.

And then

scored a goal against Amory late to win it.

So that was pretty cool, too.

I think those two.

I

mean, those are those are the ones that's fun because you're going to remember those for a long time.

What other sports do you play and how does that relate?

How do they blend together?

How do you use hockey for the other sport or how do you use the other sport for hockey?

Yeah.

So I also play a baseball.

It's probably my more dominant sport.

But lifting for that kind of helps for both.

So I do a lot of that.

Just staying active in the off season helps a lot.

Are you able to carry momentum from a good hockey season into the baseball season?

Is there anything that helps you?

If you come off feeling good at the end of your hockey season, does it help you on the baseball diamond?

I think so.

I think the confidence aspect carries into all the sports for me.

Let's step away from the athletic fields for a few moments.

What's your favorite class in school?

Oh boy.

My business management class and food class is pretty fun.

Why?

The teachers make it fun and I don't know cooking food and it's always fun.

Who's your cooking teacher?

Our name is Mrs.

Newby.

Very

good.

I mean, I remember taking, taking foods as a senior and there's a lot of things I remember and hopefully, you know, continue on.

You know, you play baseball and you've excelled at baseball as well.

Talk about the parallels between those two sports and how you've been able to find success in both.

Yeah, the coaches have really helped guide me.

I think I really get hockey and baseball coach.

Coach Langben helps me out a lot, fixes everything that I need to fix.

So.

And teammates, the teammates, we're all close bonded in both sports.

So that really helps.

Do you have a group of friends that are different from hockey to baseball?

Or do you have a lot of the same guys that you sort of hang out with?

I do.

So not a lot of my hockey buddies play baseball.

So kind of like two different friend groups, kind of.

So it's kind of nice.

What should you start

playing first, hockey or

baseball?

I think I started playing hockey first.

And you said these.

I'm not, I don't want to put words in your mouth, but you sound like maybe baseball is your number one sport.

Does that fair to say?

I mean, I like it a little better,

but it's close.

Okay.

What is it then?

Cause I mean, it's always interesting because often you're brought into a certain environment and obviously with your bad being the head hockey coach for a very long time now at these managers again, it doesn't seem like it's been that long, but he's been there a long time.

So, so hockey family in a sense.

What was it that got you initially involved in baseball or maybe maybe let the fuse in terms of obviously you have a love for the game?

Yeah, I think it was my sophomore year playing baseball.

We had a really like really good team, I guess, like a lot of the teammates I really liked and it helped and then I found success in that sport and just had a really, really fun season.

So.

I kind of carried that into last year and hopefully this senior year too.

And what position do you play in baseball?

I play catcher.

What are your plans beyond?

Like you obviously have had a continue to have a really good high school athletic career.

What does the future in sports look like for you?

So I'm attending UWO Clare to play baseball.

Not sure what I'm majoring in yet, but that's the plan so far.

That's a wonderful university.

That's

where I

went.

That's where Chad

went.

I got to tell a real quick story because last night I was in Eau Claire for the hockey game and it was a cold night.

It was a cold Tuesday night.

And back in my senior year at Eau Claire, I'd have to cross the bridge.

I'm sure you've crossed the bridge already visiting Eau Claire to get to the communications building.

And I'm thinking last night, I wanted to go over there because I had a shift on the student radio stage from nine to midnight on Tuesday nights.

So on a Tuesday night in January, I have to walk back and then back up the hill to get to my dorm.

But I said it was too cold last night.

I didn't want to do it.

So I do congratulate you and welcome to the Blue Gold family.

Thank you.

I appreciate it.

Real quickly, before again, we maybe talk a little bit more about the hockey season, finishing it up.

When you do have some time to get away from it all, what do you like to do?

what besides besides weightlifting because we hear that all the time they they say that's what they do to get away from it all we're gonna assume that you probably like weightlifting so we're gonna say that but what else do you like to do to get away from it all

I have a lot of friends that uh make it easy to get away uh I like to play some poker that helps

oh man right up your alley chin that's a fun

thing to

do

Man, old Claire Ann poker.

This guy, I like this

guy a lot.

You like him.

So you've obviously got a very large senior group this year at DC Everest.

What's special about that group?

What do you like about that group?

I mean, we've all been playing together since.

We were just little, so we're all been super close.

So it's been nice growing up with them and hopefully ending our career together.

Talk about the season up to this point.

I mean, we were talking before he came on the year last night.

I think in some ways a microcosm of the year where it's been, you've been very close in a lot of these games.

You've won some, you've lost some, you've had a number of overtime games in the game last night that ended up in the, what, two seconds or something like that, where Chi Hai was able to pull out a one nothing win.

How close do you feel like your team is to putting it together and becoming a very dangerous team coming down the stretch?

I think we're really close.

There's been a lot of games that we've lost by small margins.

We kind of have a really good record if we could capitalize so score ends obviously a little problem that we have but If we can get that correct, hopefully will be dangerous coming out of the stretch

Yeah, I mean I think you've been through this a few times what's exciting about the playoffs for for either sport for both the you know for baseball and for hockey What's what's exciting for you?

I just think the energy of everything like the building when you're in there

Everybody, it's winner go home, winner, you're done for your career.

So I think it's cool that we might have a shot to make a run in the playoffs this year.

Who's your favorite opponent?

Who's the opponent that gets you going the

most?

I mean, I would say Wes, but we have been too hot against them.

So yeah, probably them.

Is there a...

Place that you like playing the most because you ever schools around the state.

I mean you play in a lot of different areas Is there a venue that you found that you really enjoyed going to?

I like playing in the on Alaska rink a lot.

Um, the Eau Claire rinks are always fun to play at I Think that's a

yeah Just talk about your career like you you've you've you've had super success individually

You started this game as a young kid.

What has the game kind of taught you that you're going to pass on to the group that stays at Everest next year and just, you know, what the game means to you?

I think it's taught me a lot of leadership skills.

I think it's taught me a lot of like perseverance.

There's been a lot of ups and downs.

So you got to stay with it and just keep pushing.

Hopefully it'll go better.

And yeah, it's been really exciting.

Yeah

Tomorrow night you have Marchfield and I'm always curious about games.

They're kind of like revenge games because I I Imagine there is a bad taste in your mouth from the first meeting where you lost an overtime to Marchfield I Imagine there you're gonna want to send a little message tomorrow.

Would that be fair to say?

Yeah, yes, for sure.

What are the keys right now?

Because I think you touched on it.

I mean, you've had ups and downs offensively.

You did put up seven, I think, against Rapids last week.

So obviously, what was working right in that game that you're going to have to continue on a consistent basis the rest of the season?

Yeah, so that game we found a way to put the puck into net, which has been hit or miss for us.

Also, there's been some D-Zone miscommunications lately.

In that game, we had it figured out.

But even last night, it didn't have it figured out in Alaska.

That

said, it must be incredibly secure for everybody knowing that you have Griff Bonnell in net.

having that veteran who's proven they can do it as an offensive performer.

I imagine that helps in terms of knowing that you don't have to score six goals in a game to win, correct?

Having that solid goal tender has to be so big for your team.

Yeah, it's really nice to have somebody to lean on.

We can always trust him.

He's always pretty consistent back there, so we really like to have him.

As you wind down here the regular season, what are you looking forward to and what are you looking from like to get from your group to prep for the playoffs here?

Well, we like to go on like a little stretch before the playoffs a little like win streak Hopefully beat a couple better teams that we have circled on the calendar.

I guess so yeah

I gotta say, there's one thing before I'm gonna ask you for one final question that I have my final question, but when you go home tonight, ask your dad why you're playing a Wednesday night game to wrap up your regular season.

I look at the schedule.

I guess it's right.

It says Wednesday, February the 11th at Treboygan.

Your dad has no adventure where you get him on this show that takes away one of the weeks and that's it That's

not a

good thing.

I'm just throwing it out there because I'm sure he's listening right now Because we do this on a Wednesday because there's not supposed to be games on a Wednesday,

you know sometimes Sometimes the schedule does not align how the radio show would want

but coach.

Do you have a final question for Cole?

Yeah You've you've been a huge part of sports and sports have been a huge part of your life What are you gonna miss most?

I think I'm going to miss the team.

Obviously, we've always been so close in most sports.

And having a group of guys just hang out with and spend your weekends and spend every day with is so nice.

And the competing is always fun.

And playing against buddies from other teams is always fun.

So I'm going to miss that, too.

All right, our final question.

You were kind of...

Tiptoeing around it with some of your questions and I'm thinking what are you doing here?

But I'm still gonna ask my final question because I asked the final question all the time But especially for somebody like yourself who's had so much experience in multiple sports and being a varsity player for such a long time Based on your experiences based on what you've learned what piece of advice and obviously you got family that you can pass it along to as well But what piece of advice would you give a freshman just joining either the Everest?

Hockey program or the Everest baseball program based on what you've learned of that when they're starting What should they be thinking about?

I'd say look up to your leaders They know what they're talking about sort of the coaches so always make sure you're listening and It's persevered don't give up

That's an answer a captain would give, right?

It is, very much so.

Cole Vance-like, again, as I said before, when you came in, it seems like you've been around forever, because you have been around forever for the last four years at DC Everest.

Congratulations on the accomplishments.

We'll look forward to seeing you at Marathon Park coming up in a couple of weeks.

We'll see you during the spring, during the baseball season as well.

But best of luck is you and your teammates go with the rest of the regular season and the playoffs.

Thank you.

I appreciate it.

Absolutely.

That's Cole Vance-like, our student athlete guest.

week here on the Big High School Sports Show.

We're going to talk some hockey coming up.

Obviously some big games coming up and we'll discuss that coming up next as we continue here on 98.9 WXEL.

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So, how are the kids?

Well, Emily made the honor roll.

Oh, good for her.

Yeah, we're really proud of her.

Tyler, on the other hand, though.

What's going on?

He's been moody lately, just feeling down

and not like himself.

Oh, we've been there.

Nick was struggling last spring.

He was so anxious and stressed.

Really?

What helped?

Well, he joined the soccer team.

And ever since, he's been a lot happier.

He has more energy, he's less stressed, and he's definitely in a better mood at home.

It's made a huge difference.

That's awesome.

Yeah!

I'm glad he's getting out of the house, he's getting some exercise, and he's off his phone for once.

It's been good for his mental health.

Sounds like it's been good for your mental health too.

Participating in Wisconsin High School sports improves students' physical and mental health.

Encourage your son or daughter to get involved.

This message presented by the WIAA and the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association.

And welcome back.

It is a big high school sports show on 98.9 WXO WXO dot FM mobile devices and Alexa by searching WXO and on the civic media app with BJ Brandt.

I'm Chad Holmes.

Now it's just me and you.

It's all

different on this show.

Yeah, that's big.

group of guests and we really appreciate Matt Klein-Hans and Jeff Schneider and Cole Vance Leichen.

One thing that cut across I think all three of the guests tonight is how much they all love high school sports.

In all different facets.

I mean from from the officiating side you could sense man's passion to be a part of the game and and continue growing the game and and and his growth is different than the the growth that Jeff sees and and the the growth that Cole is seen throughout his career So it's it's a it was really fun to get that perspective tonight

Let's talk some hockey to start with the wasenta valley conference on the boys side yet Stevens point in first place at six and all 14 wins and two losses overall was a West

five and one in the conference, 17 and one overall.

Everest, four and three in the conference, nine and seven overall.

Marshfield, two and four in league, five and nine overall.

Wisconsin Rapids, one and five, five and 11.

East Merrill United, one and six, five and 11.

And there was some conference activity last Thursday night.

Wasta West survived Marshfield.

It was turned into quite a game.

It was a wild first period with seven goals scored.

And then even late in the third period, it was five to four and Marshfield banged the pipe.

And then West came right back within about 10 seconds and scored, made it six to four.

Won that game.

Cooper deployed a hat trick.

Julian Scalcucci came off the bench, stopped 24 of the 25 shots he faced.

Cole Kinney had two goals for Marshfield.

Also that night, Stevens Point, and actually Stevens Point would say they took care of business rather

Impressively I think in both their conference games of Tuesday Thursday beating East Merrill United 14 nothing Grant Mulski a hat trick and then last night It was a makeup game against Wisconsin ramp as I believe yeah,

there's

postponed and they went to a Southwood County and won seven nothing Grady Miller two goals, but the thing that jumped out 50 to 11 in shots on net

Both West and Spash have set things up for tomorrow night.

Yeah, they have.

I mean, both teams have kind of taken care of business in their own way.

I mean, you know, Jeff talked about it, the highs and the lows and the ups and downs of a season.

So, like, you look at the 6-4 West Marshfield, well, Marshfield played well and West played good enough, you know.

And by the way, I should mention, West did beetle clear north on the road last night, 5-1, 5 different goalscores, 55-20 edge and shots.

And with that,

Steven's point game on the horizon.

I thought West came out with a lot of energy and a lot of focus and I thought they played very well

Yeah, I mean just listening to the game a little bit.

You know, they controlled play a lot of the time and and certainly You know Julian had to make the saves because he did get tested in that game But but kudos to the Eau Claire Claire North goalie because without him that games a totally different score He

had himself a night.

Yeah, I mean it's certainly seen that way between between that

first period 22 for 22 on some really quality

Correct.

At least that's what I said on the radio.

No, it really was.

It really was.

But, but looking now tomorrow night, um, second meeting of the season, was a West has played 18 games this year.

That 18th game against Steven's point was sort of the outlier.

I don't, again, I think I've talked to some other folks that I think I've talked to you as well.

I don't think.

West can take away from that game a whole lot.

And I frankly don't think Stevens Point, in a sense, because they're going to see a different loss on West teammate.

And again, I don't want it to sound like I make an excuse or anything like that, but it was just one of those nights where West did not play well.

And you do have to give Stevens Point credit, especially between the pipes.

And that's, I think, one of the areas where Stevens Point is stronger, at least from what I saw in that game this year than they've been in recent years.

Yeah, I mean, that night, their goaltender played very well.

Second period, that game could have flipped a little bit, or at least got

and a little tighter just because of some of the saves that were made.

And I think, you know, from, from West perspective, when you look at, look back at that game, you still have to learn from it.

And, you know, and you looked at some of the guys that were making early season varsity debuts that, that are now seasoned, seasoned.

varsity players.

And I think that's a big part of the growth in student athletes as they learn what the varsity level is regardless of what your age is.

And if you look back on that game, there were some kids that had to grow up really, really fast.

And they've done that over the last few games to set themselves up for this second opportunity here against Spash.

And I find that Steven's point did, like Wasta West did, after the loss to Steven's point, the Warriors bounced back really well.

And I think Steven's point

They had a couple of the games I felt like, you know, they lost to Nina, they lost to the Hudson.

It would look like, well, is Stevens Point scuffing a little bit, but the last two games they have come out and done what they need to do.

And I think that's again, one of the things, no matter who you're playing, it's all about the team that you bring out there.

And it looks like Stevens Point has got that little bit of an edge back to them the last two games.

Yeah.

I mean, when you score 21 goals over a two game stretch, you're.

definitely offensively going to be really excited about what you have.

And, you know, in both those games, they didn't allow any goals, you know, and quite frankly, not a lot of shots in those games.

But at the same time, sometimes those are the hardest games for goalies because the kids get so offensively minded that the opportunities that the other team gets.

It could be some great A's.

It's two on ones and one on O's.

So they've obviously taken care of that side of the rink as well.

Tomorrow's game, for entertainment purposes, is only the number two and three teams in the state.

And the number two and three teams in the bracket.

It could potentially.

I mean, you look at the top three teams, they're all in the same section.

So they're going to see each other.

You would think at least one more time beyond this

one.

Which is a little tangent here.

So it means right now you look at, I think, I think, pretty, it's the consensus right now that the three top teams in the state are Hudson, Stephens, Boone, and Wausselest.

I think that's based on the production these teams have had so far this year, but at most.

one of those teams will go to state.

At most, there's no guarantee, because in that bracket, you could see a team jump out.

We saw, I remember a few years back when Chippo was the number seven seed, and that very good hockey team had made it to state, but that's just a tangent, again, based on, you know, where we stand in terms of the high school state tournament.

One area that I wanted to ask you about, because I actually mentioned it last night in the post game, is that the Warriors had a lot of opportunities on the power play we're not able to convert.

And I go back to the first game against Stevens Point.

after the Panthers took that early lead very quickly, West had the first two power plays, and we're not able to do anything with it.

Special teams, I think, will be vital tomorrow night.

Would you agree?

Massive.

I mean, I think when you look at that game down there, they weren't able to put anything together on the power play.

And quite frankly, they didn't have a ton of super grade A chances from the power play.

And I think in the middle of that, between then and probably the game last night, their power play has been clicking pretty well.

You know, they've been two of five, three of five.

five, three of seven.

I mean, you look to the Notre Dame game, they had four power play goals in that game.

So you just, you look at what it has been and you hope that, that it can get back to that because when you're in, when you're in this situation, your power play matters.

Your penalty kill matters.

Penalties are part of the game.

It's going to happen, but you want to make sure that when you have them in advantage, you can find a way to execute.

And that comes down to the little things and, and guys making the right plays that they should make, um, and, and, you know, making the team plays at times.

When you traded in your coach's hat for the announcing hat, you're going to have to answer questions like the one I'm going to give you right now.

I'm going to ask you to put on both sets of hats here for both teams.

First of all, I'll make it easy first for Wausau West.

Put your coach's hat on.

What are the most important things Wausau West has to do tomorrow night to win the hockey game?

I think the number one thing they have to do is they have to execute on the chances they're going to get early in the game.

I think as a group of people that have had limited success against Stevens Point, I think they have to first convince themselves that they can.

And I think that's a big part of this process for them is to understand how good they can play.

But for them to win the game, they have to execute early on.

If they get a power play early on, they have to at least

create some super high quality chances and hopefully execute and get on the front foot a little bit.

You know, they've been able to play well defensively here of late.

I think they have to be a physical team that they've had success with.

I think that's a big part of who they are and what their identity is, but also know where that line is because Stevens points a team you don't want to put on the power play and find that line.

And you know, obviously,

I think when you think about a team that's going to have success, your best players have to be your best players.

And tomorrow is a great opportunity for those guys to show up and be a high-quality, high-school hockey team.

Even though you're wearing a wasta with polo, I'm going to ask you to put on a different hat and tell me, what does Steven's point have to do to be successful tomorrow night?

Well, I think, I mean, they're so similar.

You know, when you look at these two teams, they both have a really dynamic first line.

I think when you look at the depth right now, Stevens Point was able to beat Wasa West last time because of what their second and third line did.

You know, their first line scored the one goal.

They created a power play goal, but the other goals were scored not from the first line.

And I think Stevens Point had success by some of those matchups.

And that's where, you know, when you're home, you get the last line change.

And it'll be interesting to watch that so my coach hat will be on as I watch this game to watch coaches find the matchups and find the different you know Advantages that you can find in the game But Steven's point broke the game open on the power play and they were able to score a power play go early and and and take advantage of that and they've had success With with that and I think they're a team that when they share the pocket when they move it really well They're gonna create scoring chances, you know

I think the biggest difference from some of the opponents that they've played recently is, I think, the quality of goal-tending they're going to see tomorrow.

And hopefully, for Julian and the rest of the Warriors, they have an opportunity to play their best.

Tomorrow night, 6.35 airtime, 7 o'clock, face-off.

Wausau West hosting Stevens Point, right here on 98.9 WXCO.

WXCO.fm, mobile devices, and Alexa by searching WXCO and on the Civic Media app.

What other note about Stevens Point?

They play at West, again, schedule could change.

They're scheduled to play Nina, Port Development Ash, on Friday.

That's quite a back-to-back, isn't it?

That is a back-to-back.

In fact, it's a repeat back.

Well, they've played Nina now.

This will be the second time for them, because Nina got them early on.

So, I mean, that's two top six matchups for them, back-to-back.

You know, looking at the weather, I can't say that that...

is going to happen, but you never

know

on how things go.

So, you know, Steven's points, they go from two Wisconsin Valley Conference opponents to now facing...

two top six teams in a back-to-back.

It's a heck of a week for them in terms of the quantity of hockey that they're playing.

Let's talk about some of the other teams in the WVC.

We talked plenty about Everest.

They did have a nice win against Rapids in their last conference game, 7-1 on Thursday.

Griff Bennell had 30 saves.

Caden Allen and Hayden Johnson two goals each for the Evergreens.

Last night they had a heartbreaker.

Again, a last-second goal.

Fell at triple falls, 1-0.

And that is, and I kind of touched on it, that's a tough loss for the, for the sectional, isn't it?

Yeah.

I mean, that's one that, that, you know, you go into the seating room and then they're going to say chip, but we'll beat you.

You know, we beat you at one nothing.

And then the rest of the big rivers are going to pile on it too.

Correct.

And I think that's, that, that they may hurt them in the seeding process, but you, you mentioned it.

Like they're a team that do you want to see them in the playoffs?

I don't know if you do.

I mean, senior goal tender, a whole bunch of seniors, you know, fighting for another game.

Like that's a, that's a dangerous team to play against.

Um, but yeah, I mean, it's, it's one that, that obviously a really even game, I think they, you know, ever said, Oh, shot him a little bit.

So.

So it's just, it's one of those things, heartbreaker when you lose with, you know, one to two seconds left.

East Merrill United, we mentioned, they ran into that Buzzsaw Stevens Point on Thursday.

Then on Monday and Tuesday, they also had games.

Monday, they fell to Sheboygan, five to three.

Jackson Pierce had two goals.

Landon Thurs a goal for EMU.

Then last night, they were able to knock off Pacelli in overtime, six to five.

Riker Remington game winning goal in OT for EMU.

Connors Adroit had two goals.

Also, Jackson Pierce had a goal.

Pacelli tied the game up with six seconds left in regulation, so there's some late...

heroics around the Wisconsin Valley Conference teams.

But I wanted to touch on Jackson Pierce, the junior.

Now he's got 20 goals on the season.

I mean, I, I not sure what the EMU record is because I don't recall too many.

They've had some talented offensive performance, but they have not been able to have had enough, I think, around some of these players.

And I think they have a little bit more around Jackson Pierce, and he's taken advantage of it.

But for the junior to have 20 goals already, very impressive.

Yeah.

I mean, when you look at how they've had success, a lot of it is driven through him.

I mean, he's somebody that has to carry the mail a little bit for him and has done so, especially, you know,

down the stretch here.

When you look at it, I think this is their second overtime victory that they had at Marathon Park.

Yes, you're

right.

I watched the game last night a little bit.

I saw it was four to three.

Pichelli East tied it up to get four-four.

And then when I was standing there, pulled ahead.

And I was like, I just left at that time and obviously saw the result today.

But just an exciting hockey game to be a part of.

And Jackson Pierce has been a big part of the success that they've been able to

have.

Looking ahead to tomorrow night's slate, we've mentioned, you know, talked a lot about West and Stevens Point.

And the first time around in these three games, you would have said, oh, that West-based Stevens Point game, the best game of the three.

Well, the other two matchups that we're going to see tomorrow night in the conference both went to overtime.

You had...

Wisconsin Rapids defeat EMU in overtime the first time they met.

And tomorrow night, they will meet in Wisconsin Rapids and then Marchfield and Everest.

The first time around, they went to overtime as well.

So I think you look at those three games in the Wisconsin Valley Conference, if you're looking for the most competitive three game setup you could have, I think you got it tomorrow night.

I think so too.

I mean, it's funny you say that.

I was thinking about the matchups for tomorrow and you look at the games around the state and in the Valley, you're going to have three really competitive games to a watch.

Obviously, the marquee one's probably the Spash West one, but you're going to get great, great games out of the other two matchups.

Great Northern Conference.

Tomahawk still undefeated in the conference, 15-3 overall.

Pines and Mosini, I have to say that I don't know whether these conference standings are right because...

I don't know whether or not last night's games were conference tournament games or not, but Pines 13 and 3 overall in games against GNC opponents.

There's 6 and 2.

Mose and E is 6 and 2, 11 and 7.

And to go 4 and 4, 10 and 6 overall, which is, again, amazing, which we're going to discuss here in a moment.

Got Wapaka 4 and 5, Lakeland 3 and 6, Medford and Rhinelander.

The Rhinelander whole day's got their first win last night.

They defeated Medford and they were 0 and 15 before last night.

And if I'm not mistaken, if it's true, they were just waiting for the conference tournament to come around.

It was all, it was all the run up.

So, so I think Jen, knowing what we know about the great northern, I think those had to be conference tournament games because they were all second matchups within the conference there.

Um, you know, when you look at Ryan Leonard, you know, they've got coach MJ Legas, who has been there for a.

long time.

Real before you go into it, I want to ask you because so often in this era, the coach sees a dip coming.

They hit the highway.

And I don't mean it.

I mean, there's reasons for it.

I mean, it's hard to be in this job for a long time.

But what he has done to stay at Merlin, we've seen that they had good teams in the past.

I mean, he

obviously knows what he's doing.

And for him, I think he's, again, probably sees that this program needs the leadership right now.

I have just the utmost respect for somebody like MJ Legas, who has gone through some tough times the last couple of years.

Yeah.

I mean, when you look at, I mean, I think back to the games where he was the head.

coach when my brother and I were playing at wasa wasa.

Like that's, that's how long he's been around.

Um, and, and he's had some super successful seasons when they went to the two divisions, the sectional finals and, and some of the stuff that the success they've had there, obviously not a wins and loss success for them this year, but I think obviously knows that there's some growth coming for them as they've got some good youth, young players within that, within their community, they're going to make an impact on their program.

But yeah, I mean, for them to, to get that first win, there's probably a lot of excitement and, and, and

the way we believe it to be, the, the conference tournament structure, they get to move on in the conference

tournament.

That's exactly right.

And they're actually going to play Antigo.

Uh, Antigo beat Lakeland last night, one to nothing.

Lakeland had 38 shots on that.

Antigo had 16 shots on that.

Again, it was the freshman goalie, Austin Martinson, who came up with the shout out.

I mean, I said it, Antigo's 10 and six.

I, I

Betcha probably in at least 14 of those games, they've been outshot probably by significant margins.

And yet they got this freshman gold tender that is just carrying them right now and getting some timely goals and finding ways to win that.

It's got to be an exciting little run here for Anagos and a few struggles themselves in recent years.

I mean, it's exciting run this year, but there has to be excitement about the future.

I mean, when you look at it, they're a team that's 10 and six.

They have 363 shots on goals, a team they have given up 716.

And so they're getting out almost two to one, getting out shot two to one.

And they found a way to have 10 wins in their schedule.

And it's obviously a big part of them as their gold tender, their young gold tender, but they've been able to, part of that is, yes, he has to make the saves, but you got to find ways to win.

And that means you got to find ways, whether it's scoring on the power play, blocking a shot, getting a breakaway, whatever it is, you have to find ways to get one more than your opponent.

And you know, as well as anybody that.

for a gold tender to put up the numbers that Martinson is doing that he's getting help because you give up a lot of shots.

It probably means he's seen most of the pucks and they got a system that probably works really well that they know that they're going to have to take some pressure.

But just make sure you're not screening your gold tender.

Give your gold tender a chance because you can't be stopping all those shots if you're being blinded on 10 of the shots.

Yeah, I mean obviously they've they've kept shots probably to the outside or like you said being able to see it as a huge part of it I mean and and they're at the age now where If a gold tender sees the puck they're probably gonna stop it I mean that's the reality of the skill level that this is at I mean and you know you look at the games that they have lost you know two to one

five to five to two, you know, they've had three to one.

And then they have a couple of lopsided ones where Tomahawk and Pines seem to have their number a little bit.

But Tomahawk and Pines up until last night, you know, those two teams have had everybody's number in that in the conference.

Quite a week for Mose and Ape.

They played four games and five nights.

Thursday, they went to Bondo, Sean O'Bond to well and lost in double overtime four to three.

The freshman Reed Butala had a hat trick.

That's not a good way to start this stretch, but then on Friday they took on Kingsford, Michigan another double overtime game this time They won four to three Reed butala had the game winning goal.

He's got 18 goals now on the season Then on Monday they went and played Lakeland and won three to one and then last night.

Do you think in four games in five days?

That's the fourth one is the tough one against pines pines came into mose and a and Tyler bars at two goals

Molzany beat Pines 4-2, and Pines had a 35-29 edge in shot, so obviously it was a very competitive hockey game.

But boy, I mean, those three wins in a row after what it would be considered, I think a disappointing loss against Sean Obandoelle.

This Molzany team, maybe they're coming together.

They've got talent, they've got some young talent.

It's been hard to kind of put them...

together at this point.

They played very well against Tom.

They're gonna get another crack at Tomahawk.

Now on the road coming up on Tuesday, they got the US, excuse me, the North and Pines tournament against USM on Friday.

So I

mean, we're gonna see a lot of what.

What was it he has at this point?

Well, if you look at just in 2026, they've got three losses just in the year 2026.

A 5-4 loss to Ram, which was on the road at their place.

A 4-3 loss at home against Tomahawk, obviously played really well, gave up two short-handed goals to give that one away a little bit.

And then obviously a road loss at Chano.

But there's seven and three in their last 10 games and obviously playing some of their best hockey.

And part of that is your freshmen aren't freshmen anymore.

your freshman understand what it is.

And obviously with Reed Butala, he's, he's come into his own a little bit here and had some success.

He's still a freshman.

I know you coaches always like to say that, but there's still a freshman.

And the thing about it that is really impressive is that again, we've talked about this and you've talked about how as a freshman, I mean, physically, they're so different than the seniors are.

And yet they're finding ways to be successful.

And we're seeing quite a bit of that right in this winter sports season, I think.

Yeah.

I mean, it's really different across all the sports as I watch them all now and see how a young player can have an impact in the game.

I mean, the reality is in the end.

And you're going to rely on your upperclassmen, your juniors, your seniors.

But sometimes you get one of those special talents that can come in and impact your lineup, whether it's on the basketball court or on the ice arena to, or even within the wrestling world, you know, get a young, young inexperience at the high school level athlete, but can come out and just make an impact.

And I wanted to touch on Tomahawk.

They won three games.

And the one that kind of jumped out to me was against Ram.

We mentioned they had beaten Mosini earlier in the season and Tomahawk on.

the weekend defeated Ram by a score of, what was it, five to three?

That was actually on Friday night.

And the thing about it that jumps out is that we talk about this quite a bit.

That is a sectional game.

Because, again, when we talk about that section on division one, we often talk about the teams in the Wisconsin Valley Conference and the Big Rivers Conference.

And I was actually going over it last night during the pregame, trying to put some perspective behind what that game was, and mention the fact that you have Ram, and then you have that GNC team that

that's hanging out their tomahawk.

I haven't delved as deeply as I am going to here, but I'm really curious to see where Tomahawk finishes in terms of seeding for that bracket.

Yeah.

You know, I haven't, I haven't dove into it either.

Just seeing all the scores, you kind of can see where they might fit kind of in that middle, middle three area.

I think the three losses may evolve into sectional teams if I'm not

mistaken.

And that's what that's, that'll hurt you a little bit in the seeding meeting.

But when you look at where with that, that whole sectional.

You know, I think there's, there's three teams that have separated themselves to be the top and they're obviously ranked in the, in the top six in the state.

And, but, but from there on, it's going to be, you're going to have to do your homework

as a coach to see that, you know, like I look at

Eau Claire North,

where do they

fit?

Superior, where do they foot?

You know, like some of the some of the early season games were really meaningful You didn't know it at the time, but they became very meaningful So it'll be interesting to see how this seeds out and in that sectional obviously we know is super challenging But but some of these games that these teams have played will have impact in other sections in other regions as well

And I guess looking ahead on the boy side, we talked a lot about the valley.

I think that, you know, number one, we mentioned Mosinid.

I think three very interesting games.

They got University School of Milwaukee on Friday.

That traditional tournament.

I mean, we always talk about the same teams being like in Eau Claire for this turkey tournament over with Weston Superior and Notre Dame and Eau Claire Memorial.

But every year on this time, Pines host their tournament.

They always bring University School.

They must like coming up because that's a long trek for USM and then Hayward as well.

That's a really interesting tournament.

I mean, that's a tournament that's been going on for a long time.

The Pines Classic.

And what's different about that, Chad, is the teams don't get hotels.

The teams all stay with local people in Eagle River.

So local hockey families house.

players for Mosany and Hayward up there in university school up there.

And that's part of the experience of the Pines Classic.

So it's kind of cool to see how, how that tournament's run and obviously the history of it.

And I think Tuesday's Mosany Tomahawk game will be very interesting.

I think, I think for Tomahawk, they can't lose that game.

I mean, it's almost like, I don't think they have a lot to gain, but they could have a lot to lose in terms of the, the other teams in that section will look at it.

Yeah, I mean, obviously they played him super tight.

Moseley and Tomahawk played really tight game before that.

And it's not that long ago.

So there's not a ton of difference between those two teams right now.

So you'd fully expect to be an outstanding hockey game within their conference tournament structure.

Wisconsin Valley Conference on the Girls side.

Black River Falls still in first at 5 and 0.

They're 12, 5 and 1 overall.

Central Wisconsin Storm 4 and 1 in the conference.

10, 5 and 1 overall.

Wisconsin Valley Union 3 and 3.

7 and 7.

Pines 1 and 3, 3, 9 and 2.

Medford 0 and 6, 0 and 13.

Let's talk a little bit about the storm.

Friday night, I know that you saw them against the Eau Claire area over at Greenhack.

Two to one, ECA stars knocked off the storm in overtime.

Jaden Yurkowski had the long goal for Central Wisconsin.

Cammie Flore had 38 saves in that game.

And then we saw, both of us saw them on Monday, game that we had here on 98.9 WXEL.

Storm defeated North and Pines, three to one.

Jaden Yurkowski had two more goals.

Eva Whitmore goal for Central Wisconsin, 16 saves for Taylor Simonson.

sort of a little microcosm again of the storm season.

I mean, lots of tight low scoring games, but also maybe a microcosm of girls high school hockey here in 2025, 2026.

I mean,

if you look at the scores, the scores are, there's a ton of one goal games and two goal games of girls hockey right now.

And I think that speaks to the parody of the game throughout the state.

I mean, Black River falls.

Probably the hottest team in the state

right now.

Two great wins.

Two great

wins this week for them.

They beat Superior five to four and then they beat Eau Claire area in overtime three to two.

So probably one of the teams that people are going to start to look at, especially when they come out of that section.

I believe the Black River falls on the ECAs in the same section over there.

So that's a sectional game for them.

But the storm, you know,

They've struggled to score.

And I think that's been the, the, the biggest challenge for them.

And, and, you know, talking to coach Wimmer and, and they're, they're changing things up a little bit to try to find ways to score.

And I think that's been their biggest, we, as you and I have seen over the last couple of years, they have the goal tending.

They have, they have outstanding goal tending.

Um, and, and they've relied on that a little bit too much this year.

I think they've had some opportunities to separate some games.

Um, but.

Getting to that third, that fourth goal has been really hard for them to do.

And they are scheduled for a massive game on Friday.

I mean, we talk about the brackets and talk about, again, it's not that far off, especially for Hockey, they have a road trip to Superior.

And they put themselves a little bit behind the eight ball by losing to Superior down in Madison at the Culver Cup.

They lost...

against Hayward, what is their record?

It was tied.

They had a tie.

That's the only time they played, right?

They have not played, because yeah, because Hayward, they were at the at the Gobbler Cup, but they did not play in the Gobbler Cup this year, which again, throws a little bit of a monkey wrench.

So for the storm.

Massive game in superior because if you lose that then you're in that little grouping of three teams that are fighting for one two and three then it's Two win oh two and one and then superior puts themselves in a really good spot because they beat Hayward in overtime just last week

Yeah, I think, you know, the storm, if they can go up into Superior into their place and find a way to win there, it's going to set themselves up.

It's going to make for an interesting seating meeting.

But at the same time, like the most recent version of both of those teams, if they can find a way to get a victory up there, I think sets them into a different seat when it comes to the final seating.

You know, you look at that section, it's probably those three teams and it's a matter of

Where are you going to travel to or are you going to be at home?

And that's, that's kind of the big difference regardless of, you know, no matter what, they're going to have to play those teams to get to the state tournament.

And the thing that's always interesting as well is always, where is the sectional final?

This year, it's being played in Hayward.

So they are obviously, I mean, that's where it's scheduled.

Last year, it was scheduled for Superior, but then Superior lost to Hayward in the sectional semifinal.

So that threw a monkey wretch and he ended up playing a Monomony, but it does give Hayward that little bit of a carrot as well.

Yeah, it always interesting.

I mean, you look on the boy side that's at the Ram.

I think they're the Regis Altuna is the host of the sectional final.

I wanted to ask

you that.

It says it's Hobbs Altuna.

Correct.

Is that a different rank?

That is a different rank.

I did not know that.

Yes, so it's also Hobbs, but it's in Altuna, so it's a Hobbs Altuna rank.

Have you been there?

I have, yeah.

It'll be interesting to see.

Is it like Hobbs in Eau Claire?

It is not like Hobbs in Eau Claire.

I mean, it's a smaller venue, and that's what's interesting to me when you're hosting this section.

And what it means when you get, you know, if you get two juggernauts in the, in the sectional final, it's going to be a well-attended game in the super packed house.

This gets me wondering what kind of setup they have for the radio guy, just in case.

Chad, you would probably not be happy with that.

Oh boy.

It does not appear to have that, but I won't speak for them.

Maybe they got a good spot for it.

They got to move the plug-in from

Hobbs and Eau Claire to Hobbs and El Tuna.

Yes.

Oh man, because I love Hobbs and Eau Claire, but not Hobbs

and El Tuna.

I don't know.

That's a great venue up there.

What's the name of the Mike Sullivan?

Yeah, the Mike Sullivan

Broadcaster.

That's a fantastic, fantastic venue for a fantastic guy as well.

But what do we got here?

About a couple minutes left.

What do you want to finish with anything on your mind in terms of high school athletics that want to finish with you?

Well, I think I think part of high school athletics It's it's a family experience and I think when when when we talk about and you go to watch a high school sporting event Look around and look at the people that are cheering you on and look at the people that are cheering For your community and and and I think that is such a big part of high school sports

is the community aspect of this.

And it can be a super positive experience for those players, for those families.

And I think if you're around some of the parents that maybe aren't as positive as you need to, I think the arena needs people to speak up in those moments.

Because as somebody who sits in a different chair now, those are the things that you deal with.

And we want high school sports to be a positive experience for everybody.

And to continue what win, lose, or draw at the end of the day, they're still high school student athletes.

and they've got to be able to look at their mom and dad and give them a hug and their parents and guardians and teammates just to make sure it's a great positive experience for them.

And I know I probably get in trouble for saying this, but I'm going to say it anyways.

Don't drink before going to a high school event.

I'm going to say it.

Have a nice carbonated beverage at the venue because there will be people selling it, making money for these.