In addition to well-deserved kind words and other festivities, the River Falls boys’ hockey team can think of no better way to honor the senior class of 2023 than with a long, prosperous run in the upcoming postseason tournament.

For River Falls head coach Cam Wilken, the dream of sending his seniors out with multiple playoff victories became closer to reality when the 2022-23 postseason bracket got released on Sunday, Feb. 5.

Wilken’s Wildcats were placed in section three of the Division 2 bracket as the No. 5 seed, with a first-round matchup slated for Friday, Feb. 17, on the road against the fourth-seeded Altoona co-op.

Because River Falls was placed in section three instead of section one, the Wildcats avoided being in the same bracket as the New Richmond Tigers and Amery Warriors, which are ranked as the No. 1 and No. 3 teams respectively in Wisconsin for Division 2, according to WisconsinPrepHockey.com.

“We really like where we’re at for the playoffs because we got the right side of the bracket,” Wilken said. “They’re excited to get another crack at Altoona because they were really upset with how they played when we went out there last time – we’re not done yet.”

The upcoming first-round game on the road against the Altoona co-op will be a rematch of the non-conference contest – also played in Altoona – on Jan. 27. River Falls jumped out to a 2-1 lead after the first period before Altoona’s four-goal second frame ultimately led to a 5-3 victory over River Falls.

“We played them two weeks ago and we outplayed them in the first and third periods,” Wilken said. “It was the second period where we thought we already had the game won and then their kid (Evan) Gustafson walked all over us. We take care of him and play as we did for 90% of the game, we’ll be just fine. We just can’t have those mental errors.”

River Falls enters the playoffs well below .500 for the season at 7-17 overall. However, the Wildcats have a 4-2 record this year against teams in their section. River Falls has victories against West Salem, Menomonie, Baldwin-Woodville and Somerset; and defeats against Altoona and Menomonie.

The Wildcats compete in the Big Rivers Conference, which is unquestionably the best league in Wisconsin for high school hockey. Of the eight teams that comprise the Big Rivers, four are ranked in the top six in either Division 1 or Division 2 at the state level, including Eau Claire Memorial, Hudson, Amery and New Richmond.

Because of that, River Falls worries less about its overall record and more about the quality of hockey that it’s playing. Coach Wilken spoke about how his staff and roster spent the entire season building up to what it hopes is five playoff games and a state title berth.

“We talk about the whole year, there are only five games that matter – three playoff games and two at the state tournament,” Wilken said. “Talent-wise, I think we’re probably the most talented team in our section.”

While coach Wilken and the non-seniors on the roster want to send the class of 2023 out with a long postseason run, they also got a chance to honor the seniors more traditionally in the final home game of the regular season on Tuesday, Feb. 7.

Throughout that contest against Eau Claire North on Tuesday evening, which was senior night, the River Falls hockey program honored its nine outgoing graduates. Although Eau Claire North ultimately secured a 5-2 victory over River Falls, the seniors got a chance to play one final time on their home ice.

The senior class has been no stranger to adversity in their four years, many of whom have played for three different head coaches amid constant staff turnover. Their class has experienced adversity unlike any other major sport in River Falls, and coach Wilken acknowledged their sacrifice for the game they love.

“They’ve put in a lot of time for our program and they’ve been through a lot,” Wilken said. “It’s never been easy for them and hopefully making a playoff run is going to be special. They’ve been through a lot and they’re a good group of guys. I’m really going to miss them.”

Following the senior night loss against Eau Claire North, River Falls bounced back with a 3-1 victory on the road against Menomonie in the final game of the regular season. The win fostered even more Wildcat confidence, as Menomonie is currently the No. 2 seed in River Falls’ sectional bracket.

The Wildcats begin what they hope is a long, fruitful postseason run to honor their outgoing seniors with a first-round matchup on the road against the Altoona co-op on Thursday, Feb. 16. Puck drop for that contest is slated for 7 p.m.

River Falls senior captain Wyatt Tschida and an Eau Claire North player jockey for position moments before a face-off on Tuesday night. Tschida was one of nine seniors honored in the final home game of the season. Photo by Reagan Hoverman