In a game where neither team could get a cushion, the La Crosse Freeze escaped with a 3-2 victory over the Wisconsin Whalers.

Neither team gained more than a one-goal lead, and Taylor Trapp's goal in the third period proved to be the difference maker.

La Crosse was sparked by Trapp, who finished with one goal. Trapp scored 19:37 into the third period to make the score 3-2 La Crosse. Hunter Dragosh picked up the assist.

The Freeze put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Wisconsin to score on any of its five power plays. La Crosse forced the Whalers goalie Evan Moyse to work between the pipes, taking 40 shots.

La Crosse also had goals scored by Jared Bromberg and Ethan Stafford, who each put in one. In addition, La Crosse received assists from Hunter Smith, who had two and Jace Cseter and Caleb Blank, who contributed one each.

Wisconsin managed to stay out of the box better than usual, racking up one minor for two minutes in penalty time. The Whalers finished below its season average of 15.0 penalty minutes per game. Wisconsin's offense rang up 34 shots on the Freeze's net.

The Whalers were helped by Austin Lewis, who registered one goal. Lewis scored 14:39 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Wisconsin. Adam Schoenfeld assisted on the tally. Joe Perrelle also scored for Wisconsin. Other players who recorded assists for Wisconsin were Peter Henderson, who had one.

La Crosse's Cameron Scheuren stopped 32 shots out of the 34 that he faced. The Freeze incurred 20 minutes in penalty time with five minors. Moyse rejected 37 shots on goal for Wisconsin.