BG, Fremd forge 5-5 tie
Last week, Buffalo Grove/Wheeling faced off against Fremd in a Metro Northwest hockey contest.
On the line was first place -- not to mention Northwest Suburban bragging rights -- which neither team got because the hotly contested battle ended in 5-5 tie.
"It was absolutely a great game," said BG/Wheeling coach Bob Wagner. "It was emotional, intense and fast-paced. It was fun. I'd like to play 25 games like it."
The game roared from the start with an energized first period.
Fremd scored first when Larry Cowick converted assists from Eric Freeburg and Dane Keelan.
Anthony Ricciardi responded for the Bison with back-to-back goals off assists from Brandon Kirchens and freshman Cody Barra.
Kirchens scored to make it 3-1.
"Then it got ugly," Wagner said.
For BG, that is.
Fremd rattled off 4 unanswered goals, by Jayme Szafranski, Cowick, Tyler Gregory and Ethan Salsinger that gave the Vikings a 5-3 lead.
But Jeffery Tlusty and Kevin Pabst responded with goals for the Bison down the stretch to forge the deadlock.
BG goalie Brett Carey made 16 saves, while the Vikings' Patrick Fitton stopped 29 shots in a game that included 27 penalties.
"Both teams really played well," Wagner said. "Everyone enjoyed the game. Our top players did well as they always do, but everyone stepped up."
The week's results also included BG's 5-0 victory over Carmel.
Cody and fellow freshman Joshua Matthys scored goals, along with seniors Tlusty, Marius Berman and Ricciardi.
On Wednesday, the first-place Bison (7-1-3) suffered their first loss, a 7-3 decision to Rockford.
"(Rockford is) so strong, they had four breakaways and scored on all of them," Wagner said. "It was a another great game."
Pabst, Tlusty and Alex Grupe all scored for BG, which outshot the Icemen 28-20.
"It was a well-played game and a tough loss," Wagner said.
• The hockey notebook features information provided by area coaches. Team results and highlights can be emailed to bswick@dailyherald.com no later than Tuesdays for inclusion in a weekly notebook.