Entering the game, the Wildcats were at a considerable disadvantage after losing to the Bay Reps 8-1 earlier in the year.

Although Alpena fought hard, St. Francis pulled away in the last two periods for the 5-1 victory led by its star player, Grant Lucas.

“The two powerplay goals in the second period really killed us,” Alpena’s assistant coach Cam Givens said, “and we know we can’t have that happen if we want to compete with a team this talented. Staying five-on-five all night is key, and we couldn’t do that the whole time.”

While the game didn’t end in the Wildcat’s favor, the first period was a massive success for the team.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Alpena High School hockey plays Traverse City St. Francis Bay Reps on Saturday in Gaylord. The Wildcats lost to the Reps in the quarterfinals, 5-1.

Alpena’s goalie, Jonny Rensberry, played spectacularly in the net and kept the game tied at zero throughout the period.

The Bay Reps controlled the puck nearly the entire time and relentlessly fired it at Rensberry all day.

St. Francis shot the puck eleven times at the net, and not one lit the lamp.

Offensively, the Wildcats could not keep possession of the puck as Alpena was seemingly outskated and outworked.

Stepping into the next period, the Wildcats and Bay Reps were knotted up at 0-0, even though that was to change.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Alpena High School hockey plays Traverse City St. Francis Bay Reps on Saturday in Gaylord. The Wildcats lost to the Reps in the quarterfinals, 5-1.

Alpena came in the second period with its best offensive firepower but fell short, unable to find the back of the net.

Both sides played incredibly physically until the Wildcats received the game’s first penalty.

As the clock hit 10:01, Preston Schuldt put the Bay Reps on the powerplay, and Traverse City instantly capitalized.

Lucas received credit for the first of his eventual four-goal game, coming on assists by Thomas Boynton-Fisher and Edward Walter.

Lucas’ goal came within four seconds of the powerplay, and the same result would occur just a few minutes later.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Alpena High School hockey plays Traverse City St. Francis Bay Reps on Saturday in Gaylord. The Wildcats lost to the Reps in the quarterfinals, 5-1.

Around the seven-minute mark, Brody Misiak was flagged for the penalty, and another fourteen seconds later, Lucas scored again.

Again, assisted by Boynton-Fisher, Lucas extended the lead to 2-0 after two periods.

While the Wildcats had two powerplay chances, Alpena couldn’t cash in, losing all of the momentum heading into the final period.

Despite losing the momentum, the Wildcats came out strong and set the tone.

At 15:26, senior Bryce Moe finally got the puck past the goalie for the Wildcat’s first score of the game.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Alpena’s goalie Jonny Rensberry stands in front of the net, ready to defend in the quarterfinals game against Traverse City St. Francis Bay Reps on Saturday in Gaylord. AHS lost 5-1. Despite the loss, Rensberry played a strong game, holding off all shots taken against him in the first period and keeping the score tied at zero.

Moe redirected the shot from Gavin Winterstein, leaving the Bay Reps no opportunity to save the shot.

Alpena seemed like a new team playing with new intensity and effort, but Lucas quickly erased it all, scoring his hat-trick goal.

About six minutes later, Lucas and the Bay Reps put the final dagger into Alpena, ending the team’s advancement aspirations.

Once again, Lucas netted his fourth goal, an unbelievable performance, especially in a big-time game.

In desperation mode, the Wildcats pulled the goalie in an attempt for an impossible comeback but ultimately came up short, letting up an empty netter and losing 5-1.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Alpena High School hockey plays Traverse City St. Francis Bay Reps on Saturday in Gaylord. The Wildcats lost to the Reps in the quarterfinals, 5-1.

“At the end of the day, Grant Lucas scored four goals, and we can’t let that happen. Overall, I’m super proud of the guys with how they’ve worked and developed all season. We battled right until the end, and I think this season was a success,” Givens said.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Alpena’s Brody Misiak stands ready for the puck to drop against a Traverse City St. Francis Bay Reps player on Saturday in Gaylord. The Wildcats lost to the Reps in the quarterfinals, 5-1.