LA CROSSE — The Avalanche scored twice late in the third period, but a good offensive night early was enough to keep the Onalaska/La Crosse boys hockey team unbeaten on Thursday.
The Hilltoppers scored twice in the first period and twice in the second on their way to a 5-4 victory over the Aquinas/Holmen co-op at the OmniCenter.
First-place Onalaska/La Crosse (14-2 overall, 7-0 Western Wisconsin Hockey Conference) swept the regular-season series from the Avalanche (9-10, 4-3) and have a three-game lead on both the Avalanche and Tomah/Sparta in the conference standings.
Central junior Liam Branson and Onalaska sophomore Rylan Tomashek scored two goals each for the Hilltoppers, who had a 4-1 lead when Tomashek scored his first goal at 9:06 of the second period.
Holmen senior Jack Barth and Aquinas sophomore James Siegert both scored twice to keep the Avalanche close, but Tomahsek’s second goal at 10:16 of the third pushed the Onalaska/La Crosse lead to 5-2. Siegert scored at 13:20 and Barth at 16:13 to produce the final score.
Tomashek also had an assist for the Hilltoppers, who received two of those from Jackson Egan, Logan Sauter and Noah Witcik. Ayden Dirks had three assists for the Avalanche and one each from Siegert and Barth.
Parker Tripp had 21 saves for the Hilltoppers and Dane Adams 25 for the Avalanche.
Tomah/Sparta 2, West Salem/Bangor 1
WEST SALEM — Senior Terryn Boland scored in the third period, but the Panthers (0-12-1, 0-5-1) couldn’t catch up after surrendering two goals in the first period.
Boland’s goal was assisted by Cade Donahue and Coen Knutson and came at the 16:08 mark of the third.
Colin Devine played in goal for West Salem and stopped 22 shots.
