The Minnesota Magicians (18-9-4) swept the Coulee Region Chill in a pair of games last weekend, entering a two-week holiday break with momentum and one of the best records in the North American Hockey League. The Magicians are now off until January 2nd and 3rd when they will be in Springfield, Illinois to face off against the Jr. Blues to start the new year.
On Friday night, the Magicians hosted their 4th Annual Teddy Toss benefiting Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota at Richfield Ice Arena. Despite a snowstorm, the biggest crowd of the year turned out to throw stuffed animals onto the ice and support the cause. On the ice, the Magicians rewarded the fans with a 6-2 blowout of the Chill. Scoring for the Magicians in the game were Cam Buhl (Assists: Pieter von Steinbergs, Mitch Slattery), Brendan Skarda (Travis Brown), Travis Brown (Tyler Bump), Caleb Hite (Brown), Davis Kirkendall (Landon Lushanko, Buhl), and Jake Cass (Slattery, Will Hammer). Goaltender Ivan Prosvetov, who is ranked among the top NHL draft eligible goalies in North America, earned the win with 23 saves.
On Saturday, the Magicians faced the Chill in La Crosse, Wisconsin in the rematch. Entering the third period, the Magicians trailed 2-1 but were able to bounce back with two unanswered goals to earn the win. Forward Tommy Altounian scored the Magicians’ first goal of the game with assists from Caleb Hite and Landon Lushanko. In the final period, Captain Will Hammer tied the game (Pieter von Steinbergs, Brendan Skarda) early, and Brendan Skarda got the game winner (Jake Cass, Landon Lushanko) with just over 4-minutes remaining. Ivan Prosvetov was stellar yet again, making 35 saves to earn the win.