Weekly Update: Eagle River, WI, March 4, 2024.
Photos (Snowyrock Photography): Gulley (#21), Likpskis makes a save, Naeve (#24), Beahm (#26).
Weekend Recap: The seven game road trip continued to Cloquet, MN, to take on the Wilderness. The two teams had faced each other 6 times previously this season, with each team winning 3 games. The two points on the weekend kept the Windigo in first place with 70 points and clinched a playoff berth for the second consecutive season.
Friday, March 1: Windigo 1 at Wilderness 2: The first period was evenly played with both teams registering 11 shots on net. The Wilderness scored first, midway thru the second period, with a shot from the point that sailed over Linards Lipskis’ shoulder. Will Schumacher scored his 28th goal of the season to tie it up for the Windigo with 3 minutes remaining in the middle frame. Tyler Grahme lifted the stick of a Wilderness forward and dropped the puck to Lucas Busch. Busch passed the puck to Schumacher standing below the faceoff circle. Schumacher released a shot that snuck behind the Wilderness goaltender’s head. The Windigo carried the play in the second and third period, outshooting their opponent 30 to 16 during the final 2 periods. With just 11 seconds remaining, the Wilderness tapped in a rebound from just above the goal crease to steal the victory. Lipskis took the loss in net with, turning aside 25 of the 27 shots faced. The Windigo placed a total of 41 shots on net.
Saturday, March 2: Windigo 4 at Wilderness 1: The Windigo came out flying in the first period, outshooting the Wilderness 17 to 12. The Wilderness struck first 5 minutes into the game with a shot from the point bounced thru the legs of Linards Lipskis, who was contending with a screen in front of him. Elliot Gulley scored his 5th of the year, from Quinn Disher and Mario DiMaggio, to tie it up at 1-1. Gulley released a wrist shot from the faceoff circle that hit the goalie’s catching glove and dropped into the net. Max Martin put the Windigo up for good on a power play with his league leading 36th goal of the season. After receiving a zone clearing pass from Eric Comstock, Will Schumacher entered the offensive zone and found Martin dropping into the slot. Martin released a shot that slipped inside the near post. Defenseman Erick Comstock made it 3-1 in favor of the Windigo, with a power play one-timer from the point. Everett Pietila and Tyler Grahme assisted on the play. Defenseman Daniil Dolzhenko finished the scoring mid-way thru the second period. Martin passed the puck from deep in his zone to Grahme. Grahme headed up ice along the boards. All the while, Dolzhenko was streaking up ice along the far boards. Grahme saw Dolzhenko in full flight all alone along the far boards. Dolzhenko dropped to one knee and blasted a one-time top shelf. Things turned ugly from that point on. The Windigo stood tall and prevailed in a game that saw 14 penalties called in the second period alone. Linards Lipskis picked up his 18th win of the season, registering 30 saves on 31 shots faced. The Windigo outshot the Wilderness once again, placing 38 shots on net.
Coach’s Comments: Windigo head coach Blake Hietala shared the following: “I would have liked to see us play with more urgency on Friday. We need to be harder to play against with important points on the line. Without playing our best game, we outshot them and out chanced them. We had an opportunity to clear the zone and push it to OT, but we were a little soft on the puck and then in front of the net. Erickson was sharp in net for them. Schumacher demonstrated his shooting skills with another sharp angle goal. He’s easily one of the best shooters in the league. Saturday’s game was more of what I expect from us at this point in the season. We moved the puck, created scoring chances, and found the back of the net with some impressive shooting. It was great to see the balanced scoring and have guys like Gulley and Dolzhenko contribute the way they did. We converted on a couple of power play opportunities after being stale on the PP on Friday. We suffered several cheap shots that resulted in injuries. That stuff has no place in this game. But when challenged, our guys responded and proved, as others have learned playing against us, we will not be pushed around.”
Stick-it-to-Cancer Fundraiser for Berklee Strong Fund: Proceeds from this year’s “Stick-it-to-Cancer” fundraiser will benefit the Berklee Strong fund, honoring the legacy of Berklee Adamovich. During the games on March 8-9, a live jersey auction will take place featuring autographed authentic game jerseys from Bobby Hull, Max Martin, Tyler Grahme, Will Schumacher, Sam Groebner and the entire team. The 50/50 raffle and chuck-a-puck proceeds will also be donated. The Windigo have also launched virtual auction of game worn jerseys, season ticket packages and pink camo hunter baseball hats. You may access the auction with the QR code below, or click here
Up Next: The Windigo conclude their seven-game road trip, with a rare Thursday night game in Chippewa Falls, WI, on March 7. The Windigo return home to the Dome on March 8-9 to face the Jets. Both of those games will start at 7pm. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $15 for the reserved access section. Visit www.wisconsinjuniorhockey.com/tickets.