Hockey Season: Overall Outlook

Student Reporter: Jarred Lucas


With the conclusion of the high school hockey season comes the prospectus of the second coming, the playoffs. Overall it was a mildly successful season with an 8-11-1 record. Although it sounds like a bad record, there is more to it than meets the eye. The Sheboygan Red Raider combined hockey team is placed in arguably one of the toughest conferences in the state of Wisconsin, the Badgerland Conference. This conference includes state champion Fon du lac, state semi-finalist Appleton, top ten ranked Notre Dame, along with a cast of other successful programs. Collectively, the Red Raiders hold a 0-4 record against those teams putting a big damper on the win-loss columns.


There is, however, a bright side to all of this, an overall improvement from last year not only in the record but on the ice as well. After only losing three players to graduation, the future looks bright. With an opening record of 1-5-1 in their first seven games the season started slow and disappointing, but after a crucial win against conference rival Waupun at home, the Raiders took a winning attitude into the Christmas break. This momentum carried right into the holiday tournament in Minnesota where the team was able to take top twenty ranked St. Michaels/Albertville into a tight third period only to come out with a 5-2 loss. The goalie was pulled towards the end of the game to add another offensive threat on the ice, but the substitute resulted in two empty netted goals. This seemed to be a turning point for the Red Raiders who ended up with two big wins over Fairmont (Minnesota) and Somerset (Wisconsin). Now the team had a positive outlook coming back to Wisconsin with a couple big wins under their belts, only to find Fon du lac and Notre Dame in the coming week. With a tough road stretch ahead of them they boarded the bus for three straight games and came out a week 0-3.


“Up to this point it’s been an emotional season with its ups and downs. We just have to find our winning ways again.” Said Coach Keith Bartholomeus. Revamped and ready the Red Raiders took advantage of their home ice going 4-2 down the stretch. With a solid finish to a successful season, the Sheboygan Red Raiders combined hockey team was able to clinch home ice in their playoff opener and a sixth overall seed.