With injury problems, the #3 Bay Port Pirates (15-8-1) entered the Regional Championship game Thursday, Feb. 14 against the #6 Antigo Red Robins (10-13-1) at Cornerstone Community Center. Seniors Jake Boxer and Caleb Johnson did not suit up, along with junior Trevor Jenquin.

“We were prepared, everyone knew their roles tonight and it went well,” said senior captain Aaron Ribar after the game.

Bay Port and Antigo faced two years ago in the Regional Championship game. That same year Bay Port had achieved their first state berth in school history.

Antigo controlled the puck for the first half of the first period, having almost double the amount of shots on goal. But, at 11:49 in the first period, junior forward Jack Chilson scored to put the Pirates up by one goal.

Only 1:30 later, sophomore Jay Ribar scored off an assist from Chilson to extend Bay Ports lead to two. At 6:50 into the second period, J. Ribar scored again bringing the score to 3-0.

Ten minutes later freshman Sam Komoroske scored his first goal of the season making the score 4-0 in favor of the Pirates. After two periods sophomore goaltender Marcus Niemi had 25 saves for Bay Port.

In the third period,  J. Ribar scored again to give himself a hat trick and put the Pirates up 5-1. Antigo answered by scoring three times in four minutes, all from Isaac Wickersheim, matching J. Ribars hat trick.

Down 5-3, the Red Robins pulled their goalie only to have A. Ribar send a shot end to end for an empty net goal. The Pirates went on to win 6-3.

Niemi had 32 saves and the Ribar brothers accounted for four of the six Pirate goals.

Captain A. Ribar and the Bay Port Pirates will play #2 Notre Dame Academy for the third time of the season in the Sectional Semifinal game on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

“We’ve played Notre Dame twice already,” said A. Ribar. “We’ll watch some film before the game and we’ll be ready.”