The Minnesota Magicians just returned from a four game, eleven day road trip, splitting the series with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs and sweeping the Kenai River Brown Bears.
On Friday, November 2nd, the Magicians kicked off their road trip with a 4-2 win vs. the Ice Dogs. Duluth East High School senior Ricky Lyle Jr. (Duluth, MN) put the Magi on the board first, also scoring his first NAHL goal, assisted by Carter Wagner.
Cam Buhl, who currently leads the team in points, tallied the second Magi goal, assisted by John Keranen and Matt Stanton. Jackson Jutting, who is playing his last games as a Magician before returning to Prior Lake for his high school season, scored the Magicians third goal, with the assists going to Chris Konin and Carter Breitenfeldt.
The Ice Dogs added two of their own, but goaltender Ethan Haider was able to block 29 of the 31 shots he faced. Carter Breitenfeldt scored the final Magi goal on Friday night, assisted by Mo Wirth and Jackson Jutting.
Despite the Magicians success the day before, the Magi had a hard time finding the net on Saturday. They racked up an impressive eighty minutes in penalties, with Dawson Klein leading with 16 minutes. John Keranen scored the lone Magi goal, assisted by Chris Konin and Carter Breitenfeldt.
In their off time, the Magicians spent time at the Chena Hot Springs outside of Fairbanks, and took time to meet some of the numerous sled dogs in Alaska. Before continuing on to take on the Kenai River Brown Bears, the Magi played an intense game of mini-golf, and spent time taking in the scenery.
On the 9th, the Magicians beat the Brown Bears by three, with goaltender Jack Robbel earning the shutout, stopping 30 shots in the course of the game. Joel Pavey struck first for the Magi, assisted by Dawson Klein and Nick Lanigan. Adding the Magi’s second goal was Jackson Jutting, with Nick Lanigan and Carter Breitenfeldt being credited with assists. At 19:01 in the third, Pavey scored his second of the game, assisted by John Keranen and Dawson Klein.
The Magi ended the weekend and their trip to Alaska with a sweep, beating out the Brown Bears 3-2. Jack Robbel faced 23 shots, and was replaced by Haider, who stopped 19 shots, after getting in an altercation with one of the Brown Bears. Joel Pavey scored the first Magi goal, assisted by Keranen and Andrew Kruse. Carter Breitenfeldt added the second Magicians goal on the power play, assisted by Kruse and Pavey. Scoring the game winning goal was Ricky Lyle Jr., assisted by Nick Lanigan and Andrew Kruse.
Head Coach A.J. Bucchino attributed much of the team’s success to team commitment and the compete level.
“Our team deserved the success we had this trip,” Bucchino said. “All players were pulling in the same direction and the positive energy translated on the ice.”
The participated in many team bonding activities as well as visited some cool sites during their 11-day trip to Alaska. “This trip was a great opportunity for our staff to spend time and get to know our players more,” Bucchino said. “The team spent much time together and they got to know each other more as well.”
The Magicians play at home this weekend against the Janesville Jets, who are currently second in the midwest division.