The boys hockey team dominated the first round of the WIAA Division 1 playoffs, beating Beaver Dam 8-2 on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

The team was led by PJ Quale, sophomore, with three goals and one assist. The first period started slow for both teams, but the Highlanders soon picked up the pace with their first goal of the game at three minutes left in the first period by Gavin Henry, freshman, assisted by Sean Driscoll, senior captain.

“Sean set up the goal perfectly, I just had the job of executing it correctly. We have come so far as a team and last night was just proof of that,” Henry said.

In the closing seconds of the first period, Quale netted his first goal of the game assisted by Joseph Verespej, senior captain. The end of the second period brought much success to the Highlanders as they took apart the Golden Beavers’ defense, but the Beavers took the first point of the second period off of a goal from Giovanni Mueller.

With 3:46 left to play in the period, the Highlanders offense picked up the pace, scoring four goals in the closing minutes. The first goal of the scoring streak started off with Jackson Katz, sophomore, and then two minutes later Jake Elchert, senior captain, had a short handed backhand goal that caused the crowd to erupt.

The score was then 4-1 with 1:46 left in the second period, but the Highlanders were not done yet. With 38 seconds left, Quale put in his second goal of the game, and then with nine seconds left Homestead took advantage of the power play when Driscoll slapped one in from the blue line. With a score of 6-1, the third period started and the Highlanders continued their scoring ways.

Joey Hobbs, senior, got in on the action with a goal at the 16:28 mark. He was assisted by Katz on the goal. The Beavers did not leave their score at one though, Mueller had his second goal of the night to bring his team’s score up to two.

The Highlander’s last goal of the night came from Quale’s third goal of the game. Homestead finished out the game with a winning score of 8-2, advancing onto the next round of the playoffs.

The team will face Fond du Lac at 8 p.m. on Friday night in Fond du Lac. The Cardinals gave Homestead an early season loss, so the Highlanders are looking to avenge that loss with a win in the playoffs.

“Winning this game the way we did gives us a lot of momentum going into Friday’s game. All the seniors and I are hoping that we can continue our hockey careers past Friday night,” Elchert said.