BARABOO — Monroe’s boys hockey team led by three goals with less than nine minutes to play, but Baraboo-Portage didn’t give up in their Badger Conference game held Feb. 4. The host Thunderbirds (4-17, 3-11) scored consecutive goals in a 40-second window midway through the third period to make it close, but the Cheesemakers (8-13, 6-6) held on for a 5-4 victory.

Monroe took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission. Brody Goode and Tysen Folgate scored for the Cheesemakers.

In the second period, Monroe again outscored Baraboo 2-1, with Patrick Alt lighting the lamp twice.

In the third, following a 5-minute major boarding penalty by Baraboo’s Tucker Cummings, Benjamin Erdley made it a 5-2 Monroe lead on a power play goal with a 8:05 left in regulation. The Thunderbirds struck back with a pair of shorthanded goals over the next 73 seconds, bringing the difference back to a single goal.

Brock Brandli got the win in net with 30 saves. Cameron Newcomer had two assists, while Goode, Alt, Jace Daughenbaugh, Hans Brand, Gibson Daly, Blake Folgate and Brody Keehn had one assist each.

Monroe has just three games left in the regular season. The Cheesemakers were slated to play Feb. 6 at home against Beaver Dam (7-13, 4-7), then at South Central (7-14, 3-9) Feb. 11 before the regular season finale against Beloit Memorial (7-13, 0-10 Big 8) Feb. 13.