U School Crushes Eau Claire North

Defending State Champ and #8 ranked University School crushed #3 ranked Eau Claire North 6-0 last night.

Last season University School graduated ten seniors including five of their top six scorers in Cole Holmes (All-State), Ryan McEnerney (All-State), Alex Graf, Will Bartlett (All-State) and Tim Olson. They also graduated starting goaltender Ben Jurken (Honorable Mention All-State). All told they graduated 6 forwards, 3 defensemen and their starting goaltender. It is very impressive that they have managed to rebound from the size and quality of their graduating class.

Eau Claire North lost 6 players to graduation, but three of them played vital roles. Derrick LaPoint (All-State) is tearing up the USHL, will play for North Dakota next season and was taken in the NHL draft. He was the Huskies' third-leading scorer. Second-leading scorer Ryan Goodmanson (Honorable Mention All-State) also graduated, along with starting goaltender Justin Strehlau (All-State). In addition, two other forwards and a defenseman also graduated. Senior defenseman and Captain Nick Roscoe (Honorable Mention All-State) is also out with a torn ACL for the season, although he hopes to return in time for the playoffs.

It is very impressive that USM has managed to rebound from the size and quality of their graduating class. For North, they're going to need to keep working hard and hope that Nick Roscoe's a quick healer.

One other game last night that is worth mentioning is Marquette defeating Madison Edgewood 7-6. Both teams finished last season ranked Honorable Mention in the Wisconsin Prep Hockey Poll.