Lakeshore Lightning Co-op bolt to Admirals’ Hockey Cup Championship

A Port Washington High School senior and Grafton freshman helped the Lakeshore Lightning co-op hockey team to the Milwaukee Admirals’ Hockey Cup championship last weekend in River Hills.

The Lightning beat Coulee Region/West Salem Co-op, 3-0, on Friday, then beat Hudson, 5-2, on Saturday for the title.

“We emphasize playing strong team defense and having balanced scoring, and with a shutout and goals from our defense and two of our lines, we achieved each of these goals,” Lightning coach Dan Wade said.

In the opener, the Lightning scored one goal in each period.

Defenseman Chloe Katsma scored from the blue line in the first period. Freshman center Kennedi Bystol shot over the goalie at close range in the second with assists from Olivia Dykema and Grafton’s Erin Brezovar.

In the third period, Port’s Aaliyah Lathrop stole the puck deep in the Coulee zone and scored unassisted with 10 minutes left to play.

Sophomore Elizabeth Bowers recorded her fifth shutout of the season.

In the title game, the Lightning were outshot, 26-7, through the first two periods but still held a 3-1 lead.

Lathrop scored on assists by Addi Novack and Cheyenne Mojica.

Defenseman Liela Reed scored on a wrist shot from the blue line, and Mojica netted a goal a couple of minutes later.

Hudson cut the deficit to 3-2 in the third period, but the Lightning took control the rest of the game.

A full ice rush by defenseman Lauren Dykema made it 4-2, and a power play goal by Dykema made it 5-2.

“Our goalie Elizabeth Bowers really kept us in the game, and then our depth began to wear them down,” Wade said.

The Lightning, just past the midseason point, already matched its highest win total. The team is 11-3-1.

The Lightning were to play at Arrowhead on Tuesday, Jan. 7. They play at University School of Milwaukee in River Hills on Tuesday, Jan. 14.