The Notre Dame Academy hockey team heads into their first playoff game tonight at Cornerstone Ice Rink.

The puck will be dropped at 7 p.m. against the De Pere Redbirds. It is a big game, and they hope many Triton fans come to support.

Because of the playoffs, as many NDA students have noticed, the players have all dyed their hair blonde. The players are making it a point that it is not to get attention but instead to make the team unified as they go into the playoffs.

The team is led by captains junior Michael Karow and senior Jack Wied. Also, because of injury they have lost senior Jett Jaraczewski and sophomore Tyler Foytik.

In addition to the strong leadership among the players, their coaching staff plays a major role in their success. Their coaching staff includes head coach Cory McCracken, assistant coach Sil Mirao, assistant coach Jim Guinn and assistant/junior varsity coach Paul Lukowitz.

The team works very hard practicing four to five times a week, each time for an hour and a half. Also, much of their work is off the ice, including separate workouts, shooting pucks  and yoga/spin with Susan Moran.

Junior Stephen Lovell said, “It’s a lot of hard work, but in the end it is all worth it. I enjoy putting in time with some of my best friends. Hockey has been such a large part of my life and playing in front of my friends and family has been great. I look forward to the rest of my high school career.”

“Being a part of the team this year is just an absolute blast,” sophomore Bryce Poshak said. “I love this group of guys.”

The Notre Dame Academy hockey program is known for its success. Everyone is very close on the team, and they all simply love being Tritons. With the seniors leaving this year, the team has been savoring every moment.