With the upcoming season still a month away, the hockey team continues to show promise. In their first pre-season tournament, the hockey team placed second in the Marquette Invitational.

     After going 2-1 in the preliminary round with wins against Marquette and Eureka, the Ice Cats played Parkway South in the semifinals. The Wildcats, with their top level experience and strong offensive game quickly took advantage of the Patriots mid-ranked line-up. A final score of 5-2 took the Cats to the championship game against the perrenially skilled De-Smet Spartans.

     Runners-up in the state championship last year, the Spartans were a tough oppenent for the Wildcats. The game went back and forth in the first period, with both sides barely testing the goaltenders. The Cats finally broke through in the second with a stunning breakaway goal by Willie Canfield, junior.

     The Cats continued to play a hard game, but two quick 3rd period goals gave the Spartans the lead. Near the end of the game, the Cats nearly took advantage of a powerplay that could have tied the game, but eventually fell 2-1.

Despite the loss, the Wildcats proved that they are still a State Champioship contending team. They are well prepared for the season to open in November.