Eau Claire Memorial Wins Second WIAA State Hockey Title

Behind two goals from junior forward Jacob Bresser, No. 5 Eau Claire Memorial was able to topple No. 2 Verona, 6-1, en route to the 2013 WIAA state championship at the Coliseum in Madison.

Saturday's state title win is the second in the history of the school. The Old Abes also reached the peak of the mountain when they went undefeated during the 2008 season. That team was led by current Badgers' forward Jefferson Dahl, who was named Mr. Hockey that year.

The current Old Abe squad saw many highs and lows, but found a way to play their best hockey of the season under head coach Mike Schwengler during the playoffs.

Charley Graaskamp was another key piece for Memorial during its state tournament run. The junior forward recorded a goal and two assists in the title game, and finished the tournament with six points in the Old Abes' three games. Senior captain Brady Bollinger also recorded six points on the weekend.

Memorial also received outstanding goaltending between the pipes from Alex Geving. The junior net-minder was fantastic all weekend, and finished the tournament with a .944 save percentage.

However the unquestioned star of the weekend was Bresser, who saw his stock rise considerably throughout the playoffs. Bresser had five goals during the state tournament, and finished the playoffs with 13 goals in six games. For the season, the 6-foot-2, 180 pound Bresser finished with an Eau Claire high school record 44 goals in 30 games.

Congratulations to coach Schwengler and the Old Abes on the championship!