Going into the season, the Windigo felt they had the offensive talent to score in bunches and that they did in their weekend series with the visiting Kenai River Brown Bears. Kenai brought an impressive 5 win and 2 loss record into the weekend, giving up a stingy 2.2 goals against average prior to facing the Windigo. The Windigo carried a record of 3 wins and 3 losses into the series and were determined to redeem themselves after suffering a home opening sweep by the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Windigo forward Will Schumacher led the charge with 7 goals and 1 assist on the weekend. Windigo point leader Max Martin also turned in an 8 point weekend, registering 2 goals and 1 assist.
Friday, September 29: Kenai River 2 at Windigo 9: The Windigo carried the play from the opening faceoff, outshooting Kenai 13-5 in the first period. Nonetheless, Kenai scored the only goal midway thru the opening frame. Second period shots were much closer, with the Windigo holding an 11 to 10 advantage. Max Martin tied the game 49 seconds into the middle frame. Drew Fisher and Will Schumacher each scored to put the Windigo up 3-1 after two periods of play. Kenai’s Nicholas Stevens brought the Brown Bears to within one goal, just 1:24 into the third period. From then on, it was all Windigo. Schumacher scored two consecutive goals to complete his hat trick. Zach Cline put the Windigo up 6-3 at the 7:15 mark, In an unusual move, Kenai pulled their goalie mid-way thru the third in an effort to spark a comeback. Daniil Dolzhenko took advantage of the empty net to put his team up 7-2. Cline scored his second of the night with 8 minutes remaining. Adam Timm scored his first career NAHL goal by burying a rebound off a shot from the point to conclude the offensive barrage. Windigo netminder Linards Lipskis had 22 saves for his 3rd win of the young season. Kenai goalies Peter Wickstrom-Stumer and Connor Sullivan made 32 saves combined, with Wickstrom-Stumer taking the loss in net.
Saturday, September 30: Kenai River 3 at Windigo 10: Will Schumacher picked up where he left off on Friday, eventually scoring 4 goals in Saturday’s rematch, a performance that earned him Bauer Midwest Division Star of the Week honors. Schumacher opened the scoring 1:24 into the first, only to be answered by Kenai’s Carson Triggs just 3 minutes later. Windigo defenseman Erick Comstock scored his 4th goal of the season to put the Windigo up 2-1. Teammate Everett Pietila scored his 1st of the season to increase the lead to 3-1. Kenai scored last in the first period to close the opening frame with the Windigo holding a 3-2 lead. The second period was all Windigo, with Max Martin, Will Schumacher, defenseman Mario DiMaggio and newcomer Braden Beahm, scoring consecutively for the Windigo. DiMaggio’s goal was the first for the blueliner this season and Beahm’s goal was his first as a Windigo. Schumacher’s magic continued in the third period with two goals. Schumacher’s tallies were bookends to Kenai’s 3rd goal of the game and Windigo forward Tyler Grahme scoring his second of the season. The Windigo outshot Kenai 43 to 36. Linards Lipskis, hailing from Riga, Latvia, recorded his 4th win of the season in net for the Windigo.
Coach’s Comments: Windigo head coach Blake Hietala was pleased with his team’s performance over the weekend and offered the following comments: “After struggling during our home opening weekend, we engaged in some soul searching and were determined to show the best fans in Junior hockey what we are capable of this year. Going as far back as our tryout camp during the first week of August we felt that our forwards would generate significant offense this season. In training camp, during the pre-season and during the showcase, much of our offense came from our defensemen. Our forwards showed their mettle this weekend. Schumacher was phenomenal. He’s been shooting well in practice. It was no surprise to see him snipe the way he did this weekend. Matin was phenomenal with an 8 point weekend. A few players had their first goals of the season or their first NAHL career goals. Everyone contributed to the wins over Kenai. They are a surprisingly fast team. Our hard work, aggressive forecheck, and team defense kept them on their heels.”
Up Next: Wisconsin neighbor and Midwest Division rival Janesville Jets will land at the Dome for a two game series with the Windigo on October 6 and 7. Opening faceoff is 7pm for both games. Tickets are available online at www.wisconsinjuniorhockey.com/tickets or at the door. Limited reserve section access tickets are available for $15 and general admission is $10.