MONROE — The Monroe Cheesemakers got an early lead, but it was their only lead of the game and eventually lost to the Oregon Panthers 5-4 in overtime in Badger Conference boys hockey on Monday Dec. 22.

The Cheesemakers grabbed a 1-0 lead just 25 seconds into the game as senior Hans Brandt scored with assists by senior Brody Koehn and senior Brady Stuart. Oregon went ahead with two goals in the first period to take a 2-1 lead.

The Panthers extended their lead to 3-1 with a goal 40 seconds into the second period. The Cheesemakers answered as Brandt scored a power play goal at 9:14 in the second period with assists by senior Brody Goode and Koehn to cut Oregon’s lead to 3-2. The Panthers got their second goal of the second period on a power play at 12:34 to take a 4-2 lead. But, the Cheesemakers answered back as Goode found the net at 14:16 with an assist by senior Brody Kittleson.

Monroe tied it at 4-4 on Goode’s second goal of the night with an assist by Stuart at 4:42 of the third period. The Cheesemakers special teams did a great job of killing 12 penalty minutes in the third period and sending the game into overtime tied at 4-4.

The Panthers won it in overtime as James Sherven of Oregon scored a goal at 6:19 to win it 5-4.

The Cheesemakers had to play with a man disadvantage for 18 minutes as they were whistled for five infractions. However, Oregon was just 1 for 4 on power plays while the Cheesemakers were 2 for 3.

Senior Brock Brandli made 42 saves for the Cheesemakers as the Panthers had 48 shots on goal. The Cheesemakers were efficient in scoring as they had only 21 shots on goal.

Monroe (1-6, 1-3 Badger Conference) will play at Viroqua in nonconference action on Saturday Dec. 27.