ONALASKA — The Onalaska/La Crosse co-op boys hockey team continued its quest for an unbeaten conference season by blasting Black River Falls 10-2 at the OmniCenter on Tuesday.
The Hilltoppers have already won the championship for the first season of the Western Wisconsin Hockey Conference, but they are just one win away from an undefeated run through the conference schedule after beating the Tigers for a second time.
Onalaska/La Crosse (17-2 overall, 9-0 conference) won their fifth game in a row and reached double figures in goals for the second time this season. The team’s final conference game is against West Salem/Bangor at the Panther Den on Feb. 10 and its next game at home Friday against West Bend.
The Hilltoppers scored five goals in the first period, two in the second and three in the third against Black River Falls.
Liam Branson, a junior forward from Central, had a hat trick with two goals in the first period and another in the third.
Grayson Andel, a junior from Onalaska, had one goal in the first period, another in the second and an assist in the third to complete his three-point performance.
Carter Johnson, a senior from Onalaska, and Noah Witcik, a sophomore from Onalaska, both had one goal and two assists for the Hilltoppers.
Zach Marso scored two goals, Samuel Hansen one goal, and Jackson Egan, Jackson Treanor and Alex Sammann had two assists apiece for Onalaska/La Crosse. Rylan Tomashek, Hudson Smith, Connor Fecht and Logan Sauter all assisted on one goal for the Hilltoppers.
Parker Tripp, a junior from Central, played all 51 minutes in goal and saved 18 shots while allowing two goals.
Avalanche 3, West Salem/Bangor 2
WEST SALEM — The Avalanche (12-10, 6-3) clinched at least a share of second place by denying the Panthers (1-14-1, 1-6-1) a second consecutive victory after beating Black River Falls on Thursday.
