VIROQUA — The Monroe Avalanche boys cooperative hockey team held off a late comeback at Viroqua recording a 4-3 win Dec. 13.

The victory improved the Avalanche to 7-1 on the season.

With just 1:39 elapsed in the first period, the Avalanche were on the scoreboard as Hayden Roth scored off an assist from Cooper Dryfus. Roth is the starting right wing for Monroe while Dryfus is the starting left wing.

Monroe extended its lead to 2-0 with 8:25 elapsed in the first period when Roth scored unassisted.

The second period saw more dominating play by the Avalanche. Cade Janecke, the starting center, scored off an assist by Dryfus with 4:19 elapsed. Monroe extended its lead to 4-0 as Ryan Molitor scored off an assist by Roth with 10:27 elapsed in the second period.

The Blackhawks began to chip away at the Avalanche lead as Jake Krause scored a power play goal off an Odin Snowdeal assist with 2:48 remaining in the second period.

Viroqua came into the third period and with 8:34 elapsed made it a 4-2 game as Ty Milutinovich scored off an assist by Tyson Menzynski.

The Blackhawks went on the power play and with less than a minute remaining in the game Jacob Ellefson scored off a double-assist from Krause and Menzynski.

The Avalanche defense held strong in the final seconds of the game to take the 4-3 win.

Monroe goalie Heath Bear had 14 saves. Viroqua goalie JJ Hertel was peppered by the Avalanche and made 35 saves.

Monroe had three penalties in the game while Viroqua had only one.

Monroe hosts Stoughton at SLICE, Thursday, Dec. 19.