Hat tricks lead to hockey wins

While other area high school teams took a break between Christmas and New Year’s Day, the Waupaca boys’ hockey team hosted its annual tournament at the Waupaca Ice & Expo Center.

The Comets posted a 2-1 record at the tournament, which featured seven varsity and junior varsity teams on Dec. 27-29.

Although Waupaca wrapped up tournament play with a 7-1 loss to Black River Falls, the Comets picked up wins over Green Bay United and East/Merrill United.

BR Falls 7,
Waupaca 1
The Tigers took a 3-0 lead in the first period and never trailed Dec. 29.
Cael Prey scored for Waupaca in the first period to cut the lead to 3-1. Black River Falls came up with another goal in the second period and three more in the third while outshooting the home team 47-31.

Waupaca 10,
GB United 2
Prey and Nate Hines combined for seven of the Comets’ 10 goals on Dec. 28 and each player had a hat trick before the third period started.
Prey scored three of Waupaca’s five goals in the first period, while Nate Hines added a goal in the first period and found the net three times in the second period.
Thor Kallestad, Benji Becker, and Thomas Thiel scored for Waupaca as the Comets outshot the Gryphons 54-20.

Waupaca 6,
E/M United 4
Waupaca trailed 2-1 heading into the second period on Dec. 27 before outscoring the Bluejacks 5-2 the rest of the way.
Five players scored for Waupaca, as Blake Schoenecker led the way with a pair of goals. Prey, Thiel, Hines and Gavin Grant also scored for Waupaca.
The Comets will play at Altoona Friday, Jan. 3, for a nonconference game before resuming Great Northern Conference play Monday, Jan. 6, at Medford.