IceCats Skate Past Masuk Into State Finals

Fresh on the heels of their SWC Championship Game Overtime victory over rival hockey team Masuk, the Brookfield-Bethel-Danbury IceCats were faced with the same challenge in the Division III State Semi-Final Game.  Once again BBD prevailed in the extra session, defeating the 6th seeded Panthers 3-2.  The win puts the IceCats into the state championship game to be held Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at the Ingalls Rink in New Haven.

Heading into the overtime period, Masuk had seemingly seized control of momentum with a game-tying goal with just 25.7 seconds remaining in the 3rd period.  Masuk's Kevin Faust put a loose puck into the back of the net, momentarily deflating the IceCats, but not getting them down.

"They never get too high and they never get too low" head coach Rusty Granacker said.  "They are one of the most unemotional groups" he's ever coached in his 17 years with the program. 

That sense of calm paid off for the IceCats who regained their composure to start OT and put immediate pressure back on Masuk.  With just 2:18 gone by, Josh Goldenburg got free for a breakaway and scored the game-winner.

"We beat them before in overtime, so we knew it was doable," said BBD senior forward Arthur Hauser.  "We didn't get down. We didn't let our emotions get the best of us."

Earlier in the game, BBD responded to a Masuk goal in quick strike fashion.  The Panthers broke a scoreless tie late in the 2nd period, getting a goal at the 3:06 mark from senior Joe Kleinhenz.  The IceCats wasted no time getting on the board themselves, tying the game up a mere 15 seconds later when senior forward P.J. Harrington scored an unassisted goal.

Just past the midway point of the 3rd period, Hauser gave BBD it's first lead, connecting with a one-timer at 7:19 of the 3rd.

Once again the IceCats got outstanding net-minding play from freshman goaltender Luiz Dibble (21 saves).  Dibble withstood furious pressure from Masuk in the waning moments much like he did in the 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Newtown.

"I actually don't know what to say about Luiz anymore," Granacker said.  "He doesn't make a lot of mistakes and he's gotten better as the season has gone on.  He doesn't let up a lot of rebounds, which is important when you can stop the puck once and limit their second chances."

The 2nd seeded IceCats will face-off against top-seeded Guilford, which defeated Northwest Catholic 7-3 in the other semi-final game.