Minnesota Magicians put an end to a three-game losing streak on Saturday night in Richfield. The home team jumped on the Chippewa Steel with four first period goals on their way to a 6-2 victory.
After nearly a month away during a seven-game stretch the Magicians returned to home ice determined to get back in the ‘win’ column. The team also welcomed the return of Pat Czarnecki who skated in a pair of games with the Madison Capitols (USHL).
From the opening puck drop the feeling on the ice was intense. At 1:57 that energy resulted in a goal scored by Jake Hosszu. Jon Bell and Sam Jacobs assisted on the play. Less than three minutes later Rob Christy made it 2-0 finishing off a play set up by Gavin Best and Lucas Kanta.
The Magicians were far from finished though and a late period powerplay tally by Kanta made it 3-0. Best and Trevor Kukkonen were credited with assists on what turned out to be the winning goal. Just :35 later Best finished off what was one of the best periods of hockey this season when he scored his ninth of the season. Bell and Kanta each assisted on their second of the period.
🚨 4-0! Gavin Best lights the lamp with a helper from Jon Bell!https://t.co/VmvXIOrr49
— Minnesota Magicians (@MNMagiciansNAHL) December 5, 2021
With a 4-0 lead the pace of the game slowed a bit in the second before Mason Campbell scored at 11:46 of the frame. Jacobs earned his second helper of the game while Nickita Moiseev earned the second assist.
A powerplay goal at 13:14 by Ryan Waltman ended the shutout bid of Magicians goaltender Hank Levy who finished the game with 35 saves. Minutes later Kanta would restore the five-goal lead when he scored on the powerplay. Kukkonen assisted on the play – his second of the game.
With a 6-1 lead the Magicians let off the gas in the third. Chippewa would score with just :02 on the clock to make the final score 6-2.
With the win Minnesota Magicians (12-10-3-1) moved into fifth place of the NAHL Midwest Division with 28 points. They sit just a point back of Anchorage Wolverines for fourth while Chippewa (31 points), Springfield Jr. Blues (35 points) and Fairbanks Ice Dogs (37 points) top the division table.