*Photo Contributed by Juan Carlos Wood – @photosbyjcw on Instagram
This past weekend, the Wisconsin Windigo pulled off their first home-series sweep with a pair of wins over the division-leading Minnesota WIlderness. The Windigo erupted four six goals in a 6-4 win Friday, Nov. 7 before taking care of business Saturday, Nov. 8 with a 4-3 win.
Friday, Nov. 7
Final Score: Windigo 6; Wilderness 4
The Windigo piled on goals early in this contest, scoring five times before the Wilderness put their first tally on the board. Just over half way into the first period, Windigo forward Ronnie Hill tallied his sixth goal of the season off a feed from his linemate Peyton Mithmuangneua. Just two minutes later, the Windigo lit the lamp again when left winger Ryan Mottau scored his fifth goal of the season.
After building up a 2-0 lead over the first 20 minutes of the game, Mottau struck the back of the net for his sixth goal of the season on a second-period power play. Mottau’s second goal of the game marked his third multi-goal performance of the year. Four minutes later, the Windigo grabbed their fourth goal of the game when defenseman Michael Ryan scored a goal from long range. Then, with less than one minute to go in the second period, Windigo right winger Teddy Richardson tallied the team’s fifth goal of the game. After the Wilderness scored with one second remaining in the period, the Windigo held a 5-1 lead over Minnesota headed into the third.
The Wilderness would end up getting three goals back across the course of the third period, including one scored by Minnesota forward Caleb Kim, who finished the game with two scores. However, the Windigo would hold off the comeback and outduel the Wilderness in the latter stages of the game. With 37 seconds left to play, the Windigo created a breakaway chance that led Richardson to score on the empty net to seal the win. His second goal of the game was also his seventh of the season, which currently leads the team.
In net, Windigo goaltender Casimir Weckstrom posted another strong performance, stopping 41 shots on 45 attempts on goal. The win marked Weckstrom’s third win in a row and fourth in his last five tries.
Saturday, Nov. 8
Final Score: Windigo 4; Wilderness 3
The Windigo pulled off a come-from behind victory Saturday to secure their sixth win in the team’s last eight games. After falling 2-0 down by the end of the first period, the Windigo then began to take advantage of the numerous penalties committed by Minnesota, which led Wisconsin to scoring four consecutive power-play goals. The first goal of the night for the Windigo was scored by defenseman Devin Berg, who grabbed his second goal of the season. The tally was assisted by Mithmuangneua and defenseman Declan Burns.
Minutes later, Windigo winger Jackson Ernst took over the game with a hat trick across a 12 and a half minute span. The final of his three goals came on a quick-turnaround shot from well outside the crease that caught Minnesota goaltender Ryan Gerlich by surprise. During the first two goals of the hat trick, Mithmuangneua grabbed his second a third assist of the game, leaving the weekend with five total helpers. Burns also picked up an assist on Ernst’s second goal, giving the defenseman nine points over his first eight games of the season.
Despite a late goal by the Wilderness, the Windigo held on to secure the win. In goal, Easton Cody put together his third win of the season by making 38 saves on 41 tries. He was awarded the third star of the game behind Ernst and Mithmuangneua.
Windigo Stats
Through 19 games this season, the Windigo are led in points by Richardson, who has 18 points in just 16 appearances. Ryan and top-line center Alexios Georgaklis round out the top three with 17 and 16 points respectively. In goal, Weckstrom leads the team’s goaltenders with four wins, a 2.53 GAA and a .925 save percentage through eight appearances.
Standings
In the NAHL Midwest Division Standings, the Windigo currently hold onto fourth place with a 10-8-1 overall record. They trail the 13-5-2 Minnesota Wilderness by seven points. The Wolverines are a few points behind Wisconsin, as Anchorage has an 8-9-2 record through 19 games this season.
Up Next
The Windigo are set for their first trip of the season to the 49th U.S. State – Alaska. The team will play two series during their two-week trip away from home, starting with a series with the Anchorage Wolverines before playing the Kenair River Brown Bears.
Wisconsin’s two-game series with Anchorage kicks off on Friday, Nov. 14 at 10:35 PM Central Time. All Windigo home and away games can be streamed on NATV. Visit nahltv.com for more details.
