West Bend Ice Bears vs. Muskego Co-Op | By Jason Howarth

January 4, 2022 – West Bend, WI –Due to some injury misfortune for Muskego, in particular their junior varsity team, this game was moved up to take place earlier than originally scheduled.

The Ice Bears controlled momentum and tempo throughout the entire game, but really took control in the first period thanks to a pair of goals, one by Germantown junior Jacob Reinke (assisted by West Bend East junior Colton Kress) and the other by team captain and West Bend East junior Peyton Fountain (assisted by West Bend East sophomore Cameron McCormack and Hartford senior Odin Klebba).

The Ice Bears then spent the majority of the time simply controlling the ice and limiting shot opportunities for Muskego.

The Ice Bears drove the final nail in on a short-handed goal by Reinke with just one minute left in the third and final period.

West Bend East junior goaltender Charlie Eckert proved to be a brick wall in net, stopping all 17 of Muskego’s shots on goal. With the win, the Ice Bears snap a three-game losing streak and now own a 6-6 overall record. Their next game will be at the Kettle Moraine Ice Center on Thursday January 6, 2022 when they take on Arrowhead at 6:00 p.m. 

Postgame, Fountain spoke of how after a good start to the season and a bit of rough patch in the schedule, that tonight’s victory should be a turning point for the Ice Bears. Although he is the team’s captain, Fountain said  m when it comes to team leadership, every senior contributes to this team with their experience, before adding “we have a locker room founded on and full of respect for each other.” Fountain who has a tremendous season as quarterback of the West Bend East Football this past fall, which garnered him an All-Conference honorable mention, leads the Ice Bears in goals and points (9 and 18 respectively).

This production comes primarily as a result of Fountain’s three-sport background, saying “it helps any person get better at what they are doing, playing one sport once a year doesn’t help improve your play at that sport. Football has definitely made me more prepared and better to play hockey, the quick transition between sports has been good.” Fountain concluded by admitting that despite his and the team’s expectations for the remainder of the season, he personally was just optimistic this victory would give momentum to the team to pick up more victories, especially in the next few games.