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Bluebirds are in paradise

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

The Bluebirds celebrate on center ice after a stunning 2-1 victory with 25 seconds left in overtime.

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

Janesville Bluebird Derek Mussey and Stoughton's Cody Larson collide while chasing the puck in the first period.

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

Bluebird Sly Flynn can't quite get the puck past Stoughton goalie Andrew Martin and ddefender Dan Truehl (6).

BROOKFIELD — With a flick of the wrist, Aaron Jacobson sent the Janesville Bluebirds to the WIAA state hockey tournament.

Jacobson, a sophomore forward, redirected a shot from Caleb Eichman with 25 seconds left in overtime to defeat Stoughton, 2-1, for the Waukesha Memorial Sectional championship Saturday at the Eble Park Ice Arena.

“I got a good pass and I was trying a power shot to get it under (goaltender Andrew Martin’s) legs,” said Eichman. “It was just chipped and it went in.”

Jacobson was sitting in front the crease and took a stab at the puck.

“I was just hoping to get a stick on it,” he said. “To go to state as a sophomore, this is just incredible.”

The third-ranked Bluebirds (19-1-2) advance to the state quarterfinals to play top-ranked and undefeated Eau Claire Memorial (23-0), who beat Lakeland 5-0 on Saturday in Eau Claire. The two teams meet at 5 p.m. Thursday in Madison’s Alliant Energy Centre.

“We’ve been working with these kids since they were eight years old,” said coach John Mauermann. “We’ve tried to put them in the spots where they could have the success. And tonight they had success.”

This is the first appearance for the Janesville team in state since 2005 and the third since the co-op was formed between Craig and Parker high schools.

Stoughton’s only goal came on a penalty shot at 8:16 in the second period to make the score 1-0.

Ross Mauermann tripped Kevin O’Donnell to stop a breakaway after O’Donnell stole the puck from Mauermann at the point.

On the penalty shot, O’Donnell faked right and shot left to beat Janesville goaltender David Jacobson.

“He’s pretty good,” said David Jacobson, who finished with 21 saves and his third consecutive one-goal play-off win. “He made a good move and he beat me.”

But Derek Mussey tied the game with a powerful drive from the middle of the ice in the third period.

With Dillon Gavazzoni sprawled across the ice to block the shot, Mussey faked a hot over the defender and worked the puck around him.

Mussey’s shot sailed around Stoughton goalie Andrew Martin at 8:58 to make the score 1-1.

Martin finished with 34 saves.

Neither team scored on the power play in the game. Janesville had four opportunities on the advantage, while Stoughton had five.

JANESVILLE 2, STOUGHTON 1

Janesville 0 0 1 1—2

Stoughton 0 1 0 0—1

Second period

S-O’Donnell, 9:16, ps.

Third period

J-Mussey (Durefee, Allen), 8:58.

Overtime

J-A. Jacobson (Eichman, Mauermann), 7:35.

Saves- David Jacobson (J), 21. Andrew Martin (S), 34.

WIAA boys state hockey

At Aliant Enery Center,

Madison

GAMES THURSDAY

Quarterfinals

11 a.m.—Mosinee vs. Madison Edgewood

1:15 p.m.—Wisconsin Rapids vs. Appleton

5 p.m.—Janesville vs. Eau Claire Memorial

7:15 p.m..—Superior vs. Milwaukee University School

WIAA Sectionals

RESULTS SATURDAY

WAUKESHA MEMORIAL

SECTIONAL

Janesville 2, Stoughton 1 (OT)

EAU CLAIRE SECTIONAL

Eau Claire Memorial 5, Lakeland 0

HUDSON SECTIONAL

Superior 6, River Falls 1

BROOKFIELD SECTIONAL

Milwaukee University School 3, Germantown 1

ONALASKA SECTIONAL

Wisconsin Rapids 3, Sparta 2

NORTHLAND PINES SECTIONAL

Mosinee 5, Wausau West 3

FOND DU LAC SECTIONAL

Appleton 4, Fond du Lac 3

RESULT FRIDAY

EDGEWOOD SECTIONAL

Madison Edgewood 4, Middleton 0