The Minnesota Magicians (30-21-7) completed their final home series of the regular season by picking up three out of four possible points vs. the Aberdeen Wings (29-23-6) over the weekend. A thrilling shootout victory on Friday night was followed up by a tough overtime loss on Saturday. The Magicians travel to Janesville this weekend to conclude the regular season before playoffs begin on April 14th and 15th.
The scoring started quickly on Friday night as Magicians forward and former Edina High School star Parker Mismash (Assists: Mitch Slattery, Hunter Lellig) scored just a minute and a half into the game. Aberdeen followed up with two goals of their own and took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission. In the 2nd period, Magicians Captain Will Hammer (Travis Brown, Slattery) scored his 18th goal of the season to tie the game. Another Wings goal gave them a brief 3-2 lead before John Keranen, who only a few weeks ago was competing in the MSHSL State Tournament for Delano High School, scored his first career NAHL goal assisted by Will Hammer to tie the game heading into the third. A scoreless third period and overtime session ensued and the game proceeded to a shootout. Aberdeen scored once in three tries, but the Magicians got goals from Travis Brown and Matt Denman to secure the win.
On Saturday night, the Magicians and Wings faced each other again in a contentious rematch. The Magicians got another early goal, this time from Mitch Slattery (Andrew Kangas) to take an early lead. Aberdeen answered with a goal of their own but Michigan Tech commit Travis Brown (Mismash, Slattery) found the back of the net late in the period to give the Magicians a 2-1 lead after one period. In the second period, the Wings struck first to tie the game at 2-2 but newcomer Jarrett Lee (Hammer, Keranen) scored to put the Magicians back on top by one yet again heading into the third. In the final period of regular, the Magicians got a goal from Mitch Machlitt to jump ahead by two, but the Wings fought back with two goals of their own to send the game into overtime. In the 3-on-3 overtime session, the Wings again got a goal off a deflection to sneak away with a win and dish out a disheartening defeat for the Magicians. Up next for the Magicians is a road trip to Janesville, Wisconsin to finish the regular season against the Jets.
The Magicians clinched a playoff spot last week and will open the first round on Friday April 14th. The game is tentatively scheduled to be held at Richfield Ice Arena at 7:15 PM. Stayed tuned to www.wisconsinjuniorhockey.com for updates on playoff game times and ticket information.