A win on Saturday in Gaylord would earn Alpena a trip to the state semifinals in Plymouth on Thursday.

After exiting the auditorium and hearing motivational words from school staff, coaches, and others, the players were welcomed with a tunnel made up of their classmates when they exited the school.

The Wildcats (24-3) are seeking their first state title since 1993 and have already set a new program record for single-season wins.

Before joining their peers outside the school, Principal Romeo Bourdage addressed the team and urged them to play hard every second of the game and to remind them the entire community of Alpena is in their corner and routing for them.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Alpena High School students show off a sign they made to cheer on the Wildcats hockey team on Friday. Alpena plays in the state quarterfinals today in Gaylord. If they win, they advance to the semifinals in Plymouth.

“Don’t let up,” he said. “If you get them down, and they get back up, knock them back down. Don’t let you foot off of the throttle. Keep your foot on the gas the whole time.”

After Bourdage’s rah-rah speech, several of the players addressed their teammates.

Sophomore Harrison Kaszubowski, shared what this season and his teammates mean to him.

“It is a pleasure to be a part of this team and to go to the quarterfinals with you guys is awesome,” he said. “We have put in a lot of work this far and I think we deserve to be where we have gotten so far.

The Wildcats’ squad has four freshmen on the roster and Bourdage stressed how their contributions were important to the team’s success.

Freshman skater Gunner Moe thanked the upperclassmen on the team. He said as the wins pile up, and the team continues to play as one, he believes big things are in store in the coming days.

“I want to thank all of you for supporting us and it has truly been an honor to be a part of something this special,” Moe said. “I think we’re going to go all the way.”

That prediction brought a cheer from his teammates, coaches, staff, and others in the auditorium.

Brody Thompson is one of 10 seniors on the hockey team and rounding out his final season wearing the green and white Wildcats’ jersey. He said this team was the best he’s played on yet.

“In my four years of playing varsity hockey, this is definitely the best team and atmosphere we’ve had,” Thompson said. “This is a great team.”

The Wildcats loaded up on the bus Friday instead of on game day to get in some practice time before the 1 p.m. faceoff today.

Alpena has won three state titles in varsity hockey. It won championships in 1981, 1987, and 1993.

The Wildcats also finished runner-up in 1982 and 2000.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.