MONROE — The Cheesemakers had Baraboo on the ropes — until they didn’t. On Feb. 2 at SLICE, Monroe led the Thunderbirds 4-2 with 7:50 to go in the second period, but it was Baraboo that closed strong, scoring six unanswered goals the rest of the way to win 8-4.

A surprising theme throughout the night was Baraboo’s ability to quickly respond to adversity — specifically, goals.

Blaze Janecke scored just 45 seconds into the game to put Monroe (2-17, 0-7 Badger West) ahead 1-0, but Zach Huffaker evened the score just 28 seconds later. After another Janecke breakaway goal, Nolan Bodenstein put Monroe out front 3-1 with just 1:43 left in the first. This time the Thunderbirds (3-17, 1-7) let just 22 seconds run off the clock before scoring again.

In the second period, Janecke lit the lamp with a shorthanded goal, snapping a perfect pass on a breakaway from Seth Brandt past Andrew Schaetzi, Baraboo’s goalie. It was Janecke’s third of the game, igniting the home crowd — and home bench — into a frenzy.

The Thunderbirds responded 47 seconds later, though, with Huffaker beating Monroe goalie Xander Obert with a shot in front of the net. Just 62 seconds later Baraboo tied it at 4-4, and 17 seconds later took a 5-4 lead — three goals in just 79 seconds of action.

By that point, Monroe had all lost control on the ice. Early big hits without whistles in the neutral zone by Baraboo had disgruntled many Cheesemakers, which in turn became more aggressive hitting along the boards. Brand was dealt a 5-minute penalty for checking from behind with 4:46 to play in the second. Carson Zick added another goal with 1:10 left in the second to put the Cheesemakers behind 6-4 before the final intermission.

Kyle Theorin took over in net in the third for Monroe and allowed two more goals. Whistles also took over in the third. While there were zero penalties called in the first, and four in the second, the third period saw six penalties called, with both teams getting chippy after each whistle.

Baraboo outshot Monroe 47-24. Obert had 32 saves and Theorin seven.

Monroe was set to be back in action the very next night hosting Madison Edgewood (16-3, 7-0), ranked fourth in the state. Sauk Prairie comes to town Feb. 7, with DeForest closing out the regular season at SLICE Feb. 11.

USM 3, Fury 2

MILWAUKEE — The Fury outshot their opponents 31-18 but lost in a nonconference game Feb. 1.

Emma Kilgora and Amery Stuckey scored for the Rock County Fury, while Monroe’s Marlies Brandli had an assist.

The Fury host Arrowhead Feb. 9 in Beloit.