BELOIT — Trailing the Cap City Cougars by a game in the standings headed into the final week of the season, the Rock County Fury knocked the league leader Feb. 13, then blanked Viroqua two days later to clinch a share of the Badger Conference title. It is the third consecutive season the Fury have finished as conference champions. Cap City (19-4, 10-2 Badger) and Metro Lynx (21-3, 10-2) also are co-champions this season.
In the biggest game of the season, Rock County knocked off Cap City 1-0 on the road thanks to a second period goal by Monroe’s Anika Einbeck.
The Cougars were called for a hooking penalty six minutes into the second period, but Rock County’s Sara Nerad was hit with a hooking penalty of her own 46 seconds later. During a 4-on-4, Alyssa Knauf sent a pass up ice to Einbeck, who went around a defender to light the lamp for the only time in the game.
Cap City out-shot Rock County (16-8, 10-2) in the contest, 38-22. Fury keeper Olivia Cronin stopped all 38 shots, including a slew of attempts during a 6-on-5 rush in the closing minutes of the game.
Two days later, the Fury knocked off Viroqua 4-0 in the final home game of the season at Edwards Ice Arena in Beloit.
Rock County scored twice in the first period. First, Sara Loerke scored off a pass from Olivia Combs at he 11:24 mark. Seventeen seconds later, Einbeck and Alyssa Knauf were credited with assists on a goal by Haley Knauf.
Alyssa Knauf made it 3-0 in the middle of the second period. Haley Knauf and Einbeck were credited with assists. In the third, Einbeck scored with the Knauf sisters assisting.
Cronin saved all 11 shots her way. The Fury out-shot Viroqua 53-13, with the Blackhawks (7-15-2, 5-6-1) only putting a single shot on goal in the third period.
Up next for the Fury is a WIAA regional championship Feb. 25 against either Cedarburg or University School of Milwaukee at Janesville Ice Arena. A win would propel the Fury to the sectional championship at BlueLine Ice Center in Fond du Lac Feb. 28.