The Minnesota Magicians completed the 2016 NAHL Showcase with two wins and two overtime losses, earning 6 out of 8 possible points at the event. After opening the event with a comeback victory over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights, the Magicians lost consecutive overtime games to Corpus Christi and Aston before defeating the Bismarck Bobcats in the Showcase finale. Overall, the Magicians are now 3-1-2 on the season and currently sit in 3rd place in the Midwest Division, just two points out of first place.
The 2016 North American Hockey League Showcase (NAHL) began on Wednesday September 21st with the Magicians taking on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights. After rookie forward Caleb Hite scored early in the first period to give the Magicians a 1-0 advantage, the Knights responded with three consecutive goals to put the Magic behind 3-1 heading into the third and final period. In the third period, the Magicians offense exploded with three unanswered goals from Nikita Kozyrev, Cam Buhl, and Will Hammer to win the game by a final score of 4-3.
On Thursday, the Magicians had a mid-morning game vs. the Corpus Christi IceRays. Corpus Christi jumped out to an early advantage and took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. The Magicians answered with the second period’s only goal coming from Hopkins, Minnesota native Nathan Nelsen to make the score 2-1 heading into the final frame. Magicians forward Nikita Kozyrev tied the game early in the third period, and after the IceRays briefly regained the lead Tanner Tweten tied the game once again for the Magicians. Regulation ended in a 3-3 deadlock, but the IceRays were able to find the back of the net in overtime to steal a 4-3 victory.
On Friday evening, the Magicians played the Aston Rebels in game three of the Showcase. Noah Wilson got the scoring started for the Magic in the first period, but Aston followed up with two goals of their and led 2-1 at the intermission. In the second, Tanner Tweten scored 7 seconds into the period to tie the game. Defenseman and Prior Lake native Matt Denman scored later in the period to give the Magicians a 3-2 lead, but Aston responded before the intermission to knot it up once again. After a scoreless third period, the teams went to overtime where Aston was able to score and escape with a 4-3 win over the Magicians.
On the final day of the 2016 Showcase, the Magicians played the Bismarck Bobcats. Lino Lakes, Minnesota native Mitch Slattery got the Magicians on the board in the first period and the team took a 1-0 lead into the locker room at the first intermission. Bismarck scored two goals in the second period and led 2-1 heading into the final period. Early in the third the Magicians scored two quick goals from Travis Brown and Timo Walther to take a lead, and Bismarck was unable to respond and the Magicians walked away with a 3-2 victory.
The Magicians return home this weekend for two games vs. the Coulee Region Chill at Richfield Ice Arena. On Friday September 30th the game starts at 7:15 PM, and on Saturday October first the game starts at 7:00 PM. Walkup tickets will be available on the night of the game and advance tickets are available at www.wisconsinjuniorhockey.com!
