2017 ACHA All-Star Challenge: Final Recap
With pool play finishing up on Friday evening, the WCCHA built a 3-2 record with 18 total points (out of an available 35), placing the team in 5th place heading into the final round of games. The seeding would earn the All-Stars a matchup with the Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Association All-Stars and an opportunity to sign off on their appearance at the 2017 ACHA All-Star Challenge with a victory.
FOR A COMPLETE REVIEW OF THE 2017 ALL-STAR CHALLENGE, CLICK HERE
Game #6 vs. Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Association
In the final game of the All-Star Challenge, the WCCHA All-Stars were matched up with the MACHA, a fellow Central Region league. After the lackluster performance in the penultimate game, the WCCHA came out with guns blazing in the Sunday morning game. Anthony Benda of Winona State opened the scoring just five minutes in with a blast from the point off a feed from Brandon Thompson of Minnesota to make it 1-0. After 12 minutes of back-and-forth action, it was Connor Wilcox of Winona State putting home a power play goal to build a two-goal lead. Despite chances for both teams, the goaltenders held strong the remainder of the opening period and the WCCHA All-Stars took the 2-0 lead through to the end of the 1st.
In the second period, the MACHA struck quickly just 15 seconds in to halve the lead to 1. Under a minute later, the game would be tied as the MACHA buried their next chance to even the score at 2-2. The tie, however, would be short lived as Tristan Gust of Minnesota State scored an all-important third goal with help from Will Reabe of UW-Eau Claire and Grigory Terlov of Wisconsin to take a one goal lead. With the MACHA pushing hard for an equalizer, it was team-leading scorer Brandon Thompson who would score the eventual game winner off a sweet pass from Cole Herbert of UW-La Crosse at 14:34 of the second. The MACHA managed to cut the deficit to one with just under 4 minutes to play, but the WCCHA All-Stars held on for the 4-3 victory to close out the All-Star Challenge in style. Billy Winselman of Winona State earned his third victory of the weekend, stopping 26 of 29 shots.
With the win on Sunday, the WCCHA All-Stars finished tied for 4th out of 11 teams at the event based on points earned percentage, another strong team performance to follow a 3rd place finish in 2013. More importantly, however, the players had a fantastic experience at the event representing the WCCHA and their Universities. In total, 15 of 17 skaters recorded at least one point over the course of the 6 games, and both goalies recorded at least one win.
"We are proud of what our players were able to accomplish on the ice, but most importantly, we are thrilled that they were able to experience such a fantastic event and showcase the quality of our league," said WCCHA Deputy Commissioner Dan Michaelson, who served as a Co-Head Coach for the event. "For those graduating, the event was a great way to end their career on a high note while meeting fellow players from accross the country. For those returning next season, we hope their participation is a spring board for future success with their team - and possibly another spot on the team in two years!"
"We want to thank the players, coaches, family and friends who were a part of this wonderful experience. They did a fantastic job representing themselves and the WCCHA, and we are proud of how they competed this weekend," added Commissioner Ryan Donovan.
FULL GAME RESULTS:
Game #1 vs. ACCHL: 7-4 Loss (2 PTS earned)
Game #2 vs. Pac-8: 7-4 Win (7 PTS earned)
Game #3 vs. CSCHC: 2-1 Win (5 PTS earned)
Game #4 vs. MWCHL: 5-4 Win (5 PTS earned)
Game #5 vs. Independents: 5-0 Loss (0 PTS earned)
Game #6 vs. MACHA: 4-3 Win 5th Place
FINAL SKATER STATISTICS:
| GP | G | A | PTS | PTS/GM | |||
| 12 | Brandon Thompson | Forward | 6 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 1.67 |
| 13 | Brien Martin | Forward | 6 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0.83 |
| 9 | Connor Wilcox | Forward | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0.67 |
| 16 | Ryan Herbert | Forward | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0.67 |
| 20 | Tyler Palecek | Forward | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0.67 |
| 71 | Justin Anderson | Forward | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0.67 |
| 7 | Cole Herbert | Forward | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.33 |
| 18 | William Reabe | Forward | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.50 |
| 21 | Anthony Benda | Defense | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0.33 |
| 82 | Grigory Terlov | Forward | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.33 |
| 2 | AJ Romanoski | Defense | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.25 |
| 8 | Tristan Gust | Forward | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.17 |
| 11 | Marcus Stoulil | Defense | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.17 |
| 10 | Brandon Kautz | Defense | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 19 | Jacob Roth | Forward | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
FINAL GOALTENDER STATISTICS:
#31 - William Winselman: 3-0, 150 Min Played, 14 GA, 4.67 GAA, 74 SV / 88 SA, .841 SV%
#72 Trevor Macey: 1-2, 149 Min Played, 12 GA, 4.03 GAA, 81 SV / 93 SA, .871 SV%
