Dec. 26-28 the Spartans (8-4-0) participated in the 2013 Schwan Cup Bronze Division tournament.

The Spartans faced the Rogers Royals ( 9-2-0) in the first game of the tournament. “[Rogers] is a good double- A program,” senior Ellis Noerenberg, “We should be able to compete with them.”

The Royals scored first with the help from junior Jason Roberge. The Spartans answered back with two goals from junior Logan Kinsel.

The second period was all Rogers. “They outplayed us,” Noerenberg said.

Rogers scored four unanswered goals led by junior Branden Cecil who netted two against the Spartans in the second.

In the third, the Spartans tried to come back but were denied. “We couldn’t finish,” Noerenberg said.

The Spartans 3-5 loss put them in the consolation bracket.

Dec. 27 the Spartans took on Holy Angels (4-5-2). “Two teams who were hot and loss in the first round,” Coach Kasey Yoder.

The Spartans were all over the Stars from puck drop. Senior Jake Flemmer, junior Joe Luedtke, and freshman Alex Dau all tailed a goal  in the first.

“That was a big period,” Flemmer said, “but unlike Rogers, we didn’t let up.”

The Stars held the Spartans scoreless in the second but in third defenseman Jared Gherardi and Jake Flemmer tailed goals in the final period.

Goalie Jon Flanke faced 16 shots and saved all 16 of them.

“I felt good,” Flanke said, “I saw everything and nothing is better than shutting out a private school.”

Dec. 28 the Spartans faced Chanhassen. This was a rematch from the first game of the year for the Spartans who came up short to the Storm 0-1.

“We owed them this one,” Flemmer said.

It was a back and forth game. The Spartans forward Cole Goulet scored the first goal with help from junior Will LeNeave and sophomore David McCuskey.

The Spartans kept it going in the second and third with two goals from senior Jake Flemmer. Flemmer scored late in the second to make the game 2-0 Spartans.

“Flemmer’s late goal was huge,” senior Chase Lee said.

Flemmer scored again in the final period with the help from forward Pete Makarov.

“It felt good to get two and help the boys get the big win,” Flemmer said.

Flakne faced 18 shots and 18 saves. “Two shutouts back to back feels great,” Flakne said.

With the Spartans 3-0 win over the Storm, the Spartans were the 2013 Schwan’s Cup Bronze Division Consolation champions.

The Spartans will face Delano (5-5-1) Jan. 7 for the I Heart Hockey game at Orono Ice Arena.