The Richfield-based Minnesota Magicians (14-7-2) continued their winning ways over the past week, winning two out of three contests against in-state rivals. With 30 points in the standings, the Magicians now have the fourth best record in the North American Hockey League (NAHL), yet still sit in 2nd place in the Midwest Division behind the Janesville Jets.
On November 17th, the Magicians traveled north and defeated the Cloquet Wilderness in an exciting overtime contest at Northwoods Credit Union Arena. Things started on a positive note for the Magicians as Farmington, Minnesota native John Siebenaler scored (Assist: Hunter Lellig) early in the first period to make it 1-0. The Wilderness responded with two goals of their own in the 2nd period to take a 2-1 lead heading into the third and final period.
As the game neared its conclusion it looked as though the Wilderness might hang onto their slim lead, but Magicians forward Nikita Kozyrev found the back of the net (Assists: Caleb Hite, Davis Kirkendall) with just under two minutes remaining to tie the game and send it to overtime. In the extra period, the Magicians capitalized on a powerplay opportunity as captain Will Hammer scored with the man advantage (Assists: Mitch Slattery, Jake Cass) to seal the victory.
The next night, the Magicians traveled south of the Twin Cities to face off against the Austin Bruins, where they were defeated in a tough road environment by a final score of 4-1. The two teams faced off again the following night in a much closer contest at Richfield Ice Arena. Early in the game, forward Cam Buhl got the Magicians on the board first (Assists: Mitch Slattery, Travis Brown) and the 1-0 lead held until the 2nd period. In the 2nd, the Bruins got two goals to take a lead heading into the last period.
Much like the game two nights prior in Cloquet, this one looked as though the Magicians may fall short by a goal. Then with just over a minute to play, former Minnetonka Skipper Brendan Skarda tipped a puck past the Bruins goaltender to tie the game and send it to overtime. After a tense 3 vs. 3overtime period failed to produce a winner, the game headed to a shootout. In the shootout, Magicians goaltender Ivan Prosvetov was perfect stopping 4 out of 4 Bruins shooters. Travis Brown was the only Magicians shooter to find the back of the net, but it was all his team needed to secure a victory.
Up next for the Magicians is a November 26th game at Riverside Arena in Austin, Minnesota, followed by a trip to La Crosse, Wisconsin to face the Coulee Region Chill on December 2nd. The boys return home on December 3rd for a 7:00 PM contest vs. the Chill at Richfield Ice Arena. Tickets are available online at magicianshockey.com or at the Richfield Ice Arena box office.