Antigo brings momentum into playoffs, faces familiar foe on Thursday

By Craig Marx, Editor

With a new sectional circuit for 2017, going by way of the Green Bay area, Antigo hockey enters the WIAA Playoffs as a No. 3 seed. The Red Robins are set to square off with the No. 6 Bay Port Pirates at the Langlade County Multi-Purpose Building on Thursday evening.

Bay Port (15-9 this past regular season) returns to Antigo after taking apart No. 11 Green Bay East 8-1 in the first round of the postseason on Tuesday night. The Robins already defeated the Pirates 3-2 in late December this season, a game that was won in overtime after a CJ Levis goal at just over a minute into extra time sealed the win for Antigo.

The Robins begin the playoffs coming off a four-game winning streak to end the regular season. Antigo was also 8-2 in its last 10 games, with the Robins’ two losses coming against Wausau West and Waukesha – teams that currently sit at their respective No. 2 and 3 spots in the state coaches’ poll as of this past Monday.

Senior forward Tyler Husnick finished the regular season with 36 assists, placing him third in the state in helping others find the back of the net. Husnick also led his team in total points with 47.

Ben Bartletti is also amongst the best players in Wisconsin for the 2016-17 regular season. The senior netminder finished tied for fifth in the state in wins (16), sixth in goals allowed average (1.47), and fourth in terms of save percentage (.931). Bartletti has also posted five shutouts this season, two in just the last four games.

With an Antigo win on Thursday, the Robins would face the victor of the No. 10 Ashwaubenon vs. No. 2 Notre Dame matchup that also takes place tomorrow evening.

Thursday night’s game begins at 7 PM from the Langlade County Multi-Purpose Building. Follow @Antigo_Times on Twitter for live updates from the game.