Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

Special contribution to WSN by UW-Stevens Point communications student Marty Kauffman

After winning their first WIAA State Girls Hockey Championship, the Bay Area Ice Bears are ready to take the ice for the 2014-2015 season. 

Since their first season in 2010, the Ice Bears fell short of winning a championship multiple times, finishing as state runner-up in 2010, along with close playoff losses in 2011 and 2012. Those memories were wiped out in 2013 with a 26 game win streak that eventually ended in a championship that head coach Pat Rafferty said was a total team accomplishment. 

“A tremendous feeling of accomplishment because we worked so hard and persevered through some tough situations,” Rafferty said. “It was truly an unforgettable experience because the team was very close and they worked so hard for it. It was striking how meaningful it was to the kids, their families, and their friends.”

Bay Area lost their first game of last season, which would be their only loss of the year. Rafferty said the win streak had no effect on the team, as they took an approach of one game at a time. 

“To be honest, we didn't spend too much time thinking about the winning streak,” Rafferty said. “We lost our first game and that allowed us to stay grounded as we focused on our next opponent, and never looked too far ahead. When we got into the playoffs we knew each game could be our last together and that kept us motivated.”

Going into this season Rafferty knows his group will be the target of teams hoping to knock them off. 

“We know our opponents will probably be amped up a notch or two when they play us.  That's fine, we look forward to it,” Rafferty said. “We have a competitive group and they'll work hard and respond to the challenge. It's a long season so we'll focus on getting better each day to start peaking in February and March.”  

Bay Area is a co-operative program that has players from 10 schools in northeast Wisconsin, and will feature another deep roster this season. 

“We certainly lost some key players, but we are returning all of our defensemen and goaltenders, and that will be the strength,” Rafferty said. “We'll have to replace some goal scoring, but I'm confident that we have players on the roster that will fill that role.”

While they lose top scorer Kelsey Rafferty, the Ice Bears will be led offensively by Courtney Wittig of Bay Port, who was second in points with 53, tallying 27 goals and 26 assists including six points in the state tournament. 

“Our offensive leader will be Courtney,” Rafferty said. “She played a huge role for us last year and we will count on her again this year.” 

On the blue line, Bay Area has all four starters returning and will be led by Nicole Niemi of Bay Port and Morgan Zirbel. Last season Niemi tallied 19 points with four goals and 15 assists, while Zirbel had 16 points on three goals and 13 assists. 

Rafferty says the goaltender position will be an area of strength for the Ice Bears, with senior Lindsey Strainis of Ashwaubenon leading the way. Strainis went 14-1 last season including the playoffs and state tournament with five shutouts, a .919 save percentage and 1.58 goals against average. 

Rafferty’s goal for the team this season is simply to get better one day at a time. 

“Our goal is to bet better everyday we take the ice,” Rafferty said. “Start peaking in February and make a return trip to Madison.”