In the team’s most recent series, the Wisconsin Windigo broke out offensively with seven goals in their two-game showdown with the Kenai River Brown Bears. Contrary to the opening series of the 2025-26 campaign, the Windigo won Saturday’s opener 5-1 before falling to the Brown Bears 3-2 Sunday in a shootout loss.
Saturday, September 20
The Windigo kept momentum in their favor by winning their second game in a row with Saturday’s 5-1 victory over Kenai River. Forward Josh Sardo netted the team’s first goal of the night for the lone tally of the first period. His twine finder currently stands as the fastest goal scored by the Windigo this season (2:58 left in period).
Wisconsin caught fire in the second period and found the back of the net three times. Just under two minutes into the period, second-year defenseman Michael Ryan snuck a goal through the wickets of Kenai River goaltender Mitchell McCusker to put the Windigo up 2-0. Three minutes later, second-year NAHL forward Ben Norris, who the Windigo acquired last week via trade from the Elmira Aviators, scored a breakaway goal to give Wisconsin a three-goal lead. In the latter half of the second period, second-year forward Alexios Georgaklis capped off the three-goal period with his first twine-finder of the season.
In the third period, second-year forward Beau Kralovec weaved his way through traffic to score his second goal of the year, cementing Wisconsin’s lead at 5-0. The lead would stay at five goals until the final minute when Kenai River forward Massi Monson scored the Brown Bears’ lone goal of the game.
Windigo netminder Easton Cody shined in his NAHL debut as he made 33 saves and earned first star of the game honors. Second-year defenseman Declan Burns tallied a hat-trick of helpers and second-year winger Teddy Richardson had two assists in the winning effort. Both Richardson and second-year forward Jackson Ernst made their 2025-26 season debut on Saturday.
Sunday, September 21
In the second game of the series, the Windigo lost a hard-fought battle to the Brown Bears 3-2 in a penalty shootout. Wisconsin trailed 1-0 after the first period due to Monson’s second goal of the series for Kenai River.
Windigo rookie forward Joe Erickson opened the scoresheet for Wisconsin just over six minutes into the second period. Erickson’s goal was his second of the season, which is currently tied for first on the team with Kralovec. Kenai River forward Gavin Jensen gave the visitors a 2-1 lead before the end of the second period.
In the third, the Windigo turned the tide to force an extra period with help from rookie forward Carsen Gause, who scored his first goal of the year to level the scoring. After a scoreless overtime, Kenai River won the penalty shootout 2-1. Second-year defenseman Riley Joslin scored the lone tally of the shootout for Wisconsin.
Windigo goalie Casimir Weckstrom had a solid showing in net as he made 36 saves, which is the team-high this season. Burns currently leads the team in points with four. After Kralovec tallied an assist Sunday, he tied rookie forward AJ Bongiorno with three points on the year.
Standings
With the three-point weekend, the Windigo currently sit in second place among the eight Midwest teams with a record of 2-1-1. They only trail the Minnesota Wilderness, who are currently undefeated at 3-0-1. With one point on the weekend, Kenai River moves up to fourth place at 2-2-0.
Up Next
The Windigo hit the road for the first time this regular season as they are set to travel to Blaine, MN for the 22nd Annual NAHL Showcase. From Wednesday, Sept. 24 to Saturday, Sept. 27, they are slated to play three games against the Aberdeen Wings, Corpus Christi IceRays and Johnstown Tomahawks.
All Windigo games during the NAHL Showcase can be streamed on NATV. Visit nahltv.com for more details.
