On Friday, Dec. 9, the Millard West hockey team took on the Lincoln East Capitals for their second to last game of the 2022 calendar year. Millard West came into the game 8-2-2, one game back behind rival Crieghton Prep, while the Capitals were struggling, as they came in with a 2-10 record.

Late in the first period, Millard West started the scoring with a bank pass up the half wall from sophomore Sam Sharp, which sprung sophomore Reece Wilson on the breakaway. Wilson had the open shot, and put a nice move on Lincoln goaltender Brevin Weise, to score at the 10:21 of the first period, giving Wilson his 12th of the year and putting the Wildcats up 1-0.

That would also be the score after the end of one, but things would pick up from there. In the second period Millard West would score two more, including a goal from either junior Josh Wiegent or senior Ryland Bronson, on a play that can only be described as pure chaos, creating more separation between the Wildcats and Capitals. 

“We didn’t expect to come out as hot as we did this year and the reason we have had that success on the ice is most definitely because of our goalie Seamus Bygrave,” Wilson said. “Every game is a different story depending on who we play, the key to success for me and my team on offense is to constantly move the puck to get opportunities for shots on the net.”

However, a goal late from Lincoln Forward Jacob Tunnison helped Lincoln stay in it, leading to a 3-1 score going into the final period.

“I feel like our team could be very successful this year but right now the coach is still trying to figure out the lines that work well with each other,” Wiegent said. “My primary role is to be in front of the net and get dirty goals, and I use my size to try and be physical along the boards and when fighting for the puck.”

The final period would contain the most action compared to the rest.

Lincoln would ride what little momentum they had into a quick goal just 11 seconds into the final period of play, cutting the lead to just one. Things would then go back and forth for the next 10 minutes, where Millard West’s offense would just hammer it on the Capitals D, with 45 total shots on goal, completely out doing Lincoln, who only had 18. 

Then, with under two minutes of play, Wilson would continue to dominate as he scored his second goal of the game, sealing the game in all likelihood.

But yet it wasn’t over, as with offsetting power plays, Lincoln would get one more goal in, and as time expired, Millard West would win 4-3 over Lincoln East.

“After a rough game, my main goal is trying to quickly move on to the next,” junior goalie Seamus Bygrave said. “I get in my own head easily so I do my best to take deep breaths and focus on the next shot. At the end of the day, that’s all you can do.”

West will have one final game before the new year, and with their win will be a top two showdown between the Prep Junior Jays.