MONROE - Junior Cammi Ganshert came away from the Rock County Fury's 1-1 tie with Green Bay East seeing the arrow pointing up for the girls hockey cooperative team.
Senior Ally Burke scored a game-tying goal on an assist from Ganshert at 10 minutes, 27 seconds in the third period to help the Fury, ranked No. 6 in the Wisconsin Prep Hockey Coaches Association state poll, tie No. 8-ranked Green Bay East at SLICE Arena Friday night. Even after a hard-fought 8-minute overtime, the game remained tied. It marks the second time this year the Fury (6-1-2) have tied the Ice Bears, who were the state runner-up last season. The Fury are 2-0-2 against teams ranked in the top 10 in the state, including a 8-4 win over defending state champion Central Wisconsin.
"I think we showed that we are right there with them," Ganshert said. "We are just as good if not better. It's great to play these teams because we get a feel for what it's like against these teams that have been successful in the past in the state. I think we played really hard. We are just two really good teams. We will get them next time."
The Fury is a co-op team that includes players from Monroe, Albany, Brodhead, Janesville Craig, Janesville Parker, Milton, Beloit Memorial and Beloit Turner. The Fury outshot the Ice Bears 33-20. Monroe freshman Anika Einbeck relished the chance to play a home game on her home ice in her hometown. The Fury play most of their home games in Beloit and Janesville.
"I wish we could have more home games here," Einbeck said of SLICE. "We are not able to because we are in a co-op with a lot of other schools. You just have to take every opportunity you get and play 100 percent because you never know who is watching."
Early on, all eyes were on the Fury as they outshot the Ice Bears 15-4 in the first period. However, Green Bay East senior Delany Butterfield was up to the test stopping each shot. She finished with 33 saves in the game.
In a fast-paced game both defenses shined in the first two periods. Green Bay East senior Katerina Zrnova scored a goal on assists from Talia Boyea and Evelyn Vincent to give the Ice Bears a 1-0 lead at the 9-minute mark in the second period.
"I think the first couple of periods it was slow and we had to get our energy up. The coaches had to get us going and we had to get fired up. In the end, we were hustling and doping good things. We just have to start out that way," Einbeck said.
It stayed that way until late in the game. The Fury's Maggy Henschler of Milton, had a shot just wide of the near post in the 11th minute. Burke had a shot moments later that was gloved by Butterfield to preserve the Ice Bears' 1-0 lead.
About a minute later, Burke broke through with the game-tying goal. The Fury had three shots in the final minute, but Butterfield was up to the challenge and made critical saves each time.
Despite outshooting the Ice Bears, Fury coach Luke Steurer understands there is not much of a talent gap between the two teams.
"We knew it would be a tough battle," Steurer said. "We knew we had to come out fast and hard. We got a little sluggish in the second period. I think we came back and came out hard in the third period. Unfortunately, the puck didn't fall our way. We just told the girls to keep on shooting and crashing the net for a rebound."
Ganshert enjoyed having the extra fan support.
"It was great to show them what we are made of in front of Monroe," she said of the fans. "It was also great to have a lot of support from Albany as well."
Senior Ally Burke scored a game-tying goal on an assist from Ganshert at 10 minutes, 27 seconds in the third period to help the Fury, ranked No. 6 in the Wisconsin Prep Hockey Coaches Association state poll, tie No. 8-ranked Green Bay East at SLICE Arena Friday night. Even after a hard-fought 8-minute overtime, the game remained tied. It marks the second time this year the Fury (6-1-2) have tied the Ice Bears, who were the state runner-up last season. The Fury are 2-0-2 against teams ranked in the top 10 in the state, including a 8-4 win over defending state champion Central Wisconsin.
"I think we showed that we are right there with them," Ganshert said. "We are just as good if not better. It's great to play these teams because we get a feel for what it's like against these teams that have been successful in the past in the state. I think we played really hard. We are just two really good teams. We will get them next time."
The Fury is a co-op team that includes players from Monroe, Albany, Brodhead, Janesville Craig, Janesville Parker, Milton, Beloit Memorial and Beloit Turner. The Fury outshot the Ice Bears 33-20. Monroe freshman Anika Einbeck relished the chance to play a home game on her home ice in her hometown. The Fury play most of their home games in Beloit and Janesville.
"I wish we could have more home games here," Einbeck said of SLICE. "We are not able to because we are in a co-op with a lot of other schools. You just have to take every opportunity you get and play 100 percent because you never know who is watching."
Early on, all eyes were on the Fury as they outshot the Ice Bears 15-4 in the first period. However, Green Bay East senior Delany Butterfield was up to the test stopping each shot. She finished with 33 saves in the game.
In a fast-paced game both defenses shined in the first two periods. Green Bay East senior Katerina Zrnova scored a goal on assists from Talia Boyea and Evelyn Vincent to give the Ice Bears a 1-0 lead at the 9-minute mark in the second period.
"I think the first couple of periods it was slow and we had to get our energy up. The coaches had to get us going and we had to get fired up. In the end, we were hustling and doping good things. We just have to start out that way," Einbeck said.
It stayed that way until late in the game. The Fury's Maggy Henschler of Milton, had a shot just wide of the near post in the 11th minute. Burke had a shot moments later that was gloved by Butterfield to preserve the Ice Bears' 1-0 lead.
About a minute later, Burke broke through with the game-tying goal. The Fury had three shots in the final minute, but Butterfield was up to the challenge and made critical saves each time.
Despite outshooting the Ice Bears, Fury coach Luke Steurer understands there is not much of a talent gap between the two teams.
"We knew it would be a tough battle," Steurer said. "We knew we had to come out fast and hard. We got a little sluggish in the second period. I think we came back and came out hard in the third period. Unfortunately, the puck didn't fall our way. We just told the girls to keep on shooting and crashing the net for a rebound."
Ganshert enjoyed having the extra fan support.
"It was great to show them what we are made of in front of Monroe," she said of the fans. "It was also great to have a lot of support from Albany as well."
