STOUGHTON — The Cheesemakers won two of three games to close out 2024 at the Stoughton holiday tournament Dec. 26-28. On Thursday, Dec. 26, Monroe defeated Milton 8-2, followed by a 3-1 loss to Beaver Dam on Dec. 27 and an 11-1 victory over Baraboo-Portage Dec. 28.

In the blowout win over Milton, the Cheesemakers received shorthanded goals from Ben Erdley and Brady Spotts in the first period, then power play scored from Carter Nemergut, Cameron Newcomer and Owen Hicks in the second, with Patrick Alt (2G) and Jace Daughenbaugh hitting the back of the net in the third period — the latter two via power play.

Monroe out-shot Milton 44-21, including by a 30-6 margin in the second and third periods combined. Brogan Hoelscher got the win in net for the Cheesemakers, which had seven penalties in the game compared to the Red Hawks’ 11.

In the loss to Beaver Dam, Spotts scored Monroe’s lone goal in the third. The Beavers scored all three goals during an 11-minute stretch of the second period.

Monroe out-shot Beaver Dam Monroe 55-27. Brock Brandli had 27 saves for Monroe. Both teams were whistled for four penalties.

The win over the Thunderbirds included a hat trick for Nemergut (3G), two goals from Spotts and Newcomer, and single scores from Daughenbaugh, Alt, Hans Brandt and Blake Folgate. It was the first career varsity goal for Folgate, a freshman. Hoelscher had the win in net, stopping 27 shots. Monroe out-shot the Thunderbirds 37-28.

The Cheesemakers (5-7 overall) play their next game on the road Jan. 4 at Kenosha.