Fusion Finish Undefeated Season

The St. Croix Valley Fusion completed regular season play last week with three wins for finish with an undefeated 19-0-1 record.

The Fusion beat New Richmond 4-2 on Monday, Chippewa Falls 3-2 on Tuesday night and the Point-Rapids Red Panthers 5-3 on Saturday. The Fusion also wrapped up the Big Rivers Conference championship with win over Chiipewa Falls on Tuesday.

"It was quite a thrill for all of us to make it the entire year without a loss. We have a great coachable bunch of kids," said Coach Matt Cranston. "(Goalie coach) Ann Rock has done a fantastic job with Devin (Roen). We couldn't have pulled this off without assistant coach Karl Erickson, his hockey knowledge and great coaching. Karl is a student of the game."

It was all on the line to complete the undefeated season on Saturday afternoon against the fifth ranked team from Stevens Point/Wisconsin Rapids.

"We had to do it against a very good team," Cranston commented.

The Fusion got on board at the 6:59 mark when Amanda Robinson tooka pass from Tara Frey and fired a hard on-ice wrist shot from the point into the back of the Red Panther's net. The Red Panthers answered with a goal at the 12:10 mark ending the first period 1-1. Cranston scored four minutes in to the second period from Tanis Klingler. Five minutes later the Red Panthers tied it up again.

The Fusion popped in two goals in the last five minutes of the second period. Myrrhia Kleinbrook from Tara Frey and Frey from Lindquist from a 4-2 lead. Each team scored once in the third period. Nikki Plunkett scored for the Fusion.

The Fusion are the top seed in the region, so they get a bye in the first round. The Fusion will play the winner of Hudson and New Richmond on Tuesday the 19 in River Falls at 5:00 or 7:30 p.m. The winner of that game will play for the sectional championship in New Richmond Saturday, February 23.