Game 1 vs. Fairbanks Ice Dogs
In the first game of the NAHL Showcase the Minnesota Magicians took to the ice against a familiar and divisional opponent, the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Fairbanks was able to strike early in the first but the Magicians bounce back with a late first-period goal from newcomer defensemen, Charlie Weiand.
Late in the second, the Ice Dogs got back on top from a goal from Erkka Vanska to go up 2-1 going into the third.
The third period saw no scoring until former Magician, Caleb Hite, wrapped up the win for the Ice Dogs with an empty net goal to make the final score 3-1. In net for the Magicians was George McBey who had 30 saves on 32 shots.
Result: 3-1 Loss
Game 2 vs. Lone Star Brahmas
In game two of the NAHL Showcase the Magicians took on the defending Robertson Cup Champions, the Lone Star Brahmas. The Brahmas tallied the first goal 2:31 into take a 1-0 lead and took that into the locker room at the end of the first.
The Magicians got on the board in the second with a goal from former Breck Mustang, Carter Breitenfeldt. Lone Star answered back the next shift to take the lead again at 2-1 heading into the third.
Late in the third, while the Magicians where short-handed, Charlie Weiand was able to slam home a nice shot off the Brahmas goalie’s pad from Breitenfeldt, tying the game at two with just a few ticks left on the clock. Unfortunately, the Brahmas were able to strike again about 30 seconds later and win the game 3-2. Isaiah Saville was in net for the Magic and had 21 saves.
Result: 3-2 Loss
Game 3 vs. US NTDP
Game three of the Showcase was an exhibition game versus the United States Nation Team Development Program, a team with 21 division 1 commits and many future NHL draft picks. It was a game that went back and forth. Davis Kirkendall started the scoring with a nice tip-in goal from a shot from the point by Andrew Kruse. US NTDP was able to come back with three straight goals but the Magicians got a late goal from Jackson Nauss to make it 3-2 at the end of one.
In the second, newcomer Bram Scheerer made a great pass to Brendan Skarda as he ripped one by the NTDP goaltender and knotted up the game at three apiece. NTDP was able to take the lead back with a goal from Cam York. The Magicians kept battling and once again tied the game up with a power play from Andrew Kangas.
Magicians put up an incredible effort but in the third, the US NTDP proved to be too much as they tallied three goals (one empty net) to outlast the Magicians 7-4. Saville was once again in net for the Magic and had 38 saves.
Result: 7-4 loss
What’s on tap?
The Magicians will return to action against the Janesville Jets in Janesville this Friday and Saturday night (7 P.M. Puck Drop). Plus, don’t forget the Magicians’ home opener will be Oct. 6th against the Coulee Region Chill at Richfield Ice Arena.
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