Veterans Day was celebrated by the Minnesota Magicians this weekend as the team played a home-and-home series with the Chippewa Steel. On the ice the Steel slowed the Magi offense in both games and finished the weekend with four points.
Minnesota did secure a point on Saturday night playing coming from behind in the final frame to tie the game 3-3 in regulation. Chippewa would earn the extra point though when Joseph Grainda scored the overtime winner at 1:12 of OT.
Following a 1-0 first period the Magicians battled back in the second to take a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes. Cam Boche tied the game at 3:18 on a play assisted by Patrick Czarnecki and William Matzke. It was the eighth goal of the season for Boche, a 2021 Lakeville South HS graduate.
Goaltender Brandon Milberg did most of the ‘heavy lifting’ the remainder of the period stopping all 17 shots faced. The Sacred Heart University commit finished the game with 37 saves.
Early in the third the Steel took advantage of an extended powerplay to retake the lead. Nick Sajevic scored at 3:20 to even the score then again at 8:19 to make it 3-2. A determined Magicians group responded though and at 10:55 were rewarded when Rob Christy scored his first of the season. Will Schumacher and Spencer Light assisted on goal which tied the game 3-3.
The previous evening the two teams clashed in Richfield in another tightly contested game. Chippewa came out the victors adding an empty net goal in the final minute to make it 3-1.
The Magicians honored military veterans with a special jersey and pregame ceremony. Game worn jerseys are being auctioned in benefit of the City of Richfield Honoring All Veterans Memorial.
A scoreless game through 29 minutes, Chippewa struck first when Evan Tanos scored. It didn’t last long though as the Magicians tied it in the final minute of the period on a goal scored by Schumacher. Czarnecki and Hunter Longhi were credited with assists.
A victory wasn’t in the cards on this evening though. Tanos scored his second of the game at 14:35 before an empty netter by Ethan Benz sealed the win for the visitors.
The Magicians (9-7-3-0) hit the road next weekend for a two-game series against the Janesville Jets (7-11-0-1). Both games can be seen live on HockeyTV.