Weekend Recap: After a long 7-game road trip in which the Windigo went 2-4-1 (2 wins, 4 loses, and 1 overtime loss) the Windigo found themselves in fourth place in the Midwest Division with an 8-7-2 record. The Chippewa Steel entered the weekend with an 8-7 record. The weekend sweep over Chippewa vaulted the Windigo to second place in the Midwest Division Standings.
Friday, November 3: Steel 1 at Windigo 3: Windigo defenseman Zephyr Tangri scored the first goal of his NAHL career to open the scoring 5:19 into the first period. Tangri was assisted by Everett Pietila and Tyler Grahme. Talan Blanck tied the game for the Steel with just 19 seconds remaining in the opening frame. Shots on net were even in the first period at 13 each. The second period saw the Steel outshoot the Windigo 11 to 8, none of which found the back of the net. Windigo forward Jacob Jastrzebski tucked in a loose puck in the goal crease to break the deadlock just 2:45 into the third period. That turned out to be the eventual game winning goal and was set up by Adam Timm and Daniil Dolzhenko. Forward Logan Nickolaus buried a one-timer from the low slot to close out the scoring at 11:08 of the third period. Windigo netminder Linards Lipskis registered 29 saves to earn the win in net for the Windigo.
Saturday, November 4: Steel 2 at Windigo 10: Game two of weekend series turned out to be penalty filled contest, with a combined 31 penalties called, including two major penalties for fighting. The Windigo took advantage of their powerplay opportunities scoring 3 goals with the man advantage. In turn, Chippewa’s first goal came on the power play. The Windigo scored 4 goals in the first period off the sticks of Leo Eperjesi, Braydon Beahm, Tyler Grahme, and Maxwell Martin. Chippewa scored a goal of their own late in the first to close out the period trailing 4-1. Zephyr Tangri, Will Schumacher, and Cashen Naeve, found the net for the Windigo in the second period, to increase their lead to 7-1. Chippewa closed out the scoring in the middle frame and the period ended with the Windigo leading 7-2. Camden Markham, Martin, and Grahme, continued the Windigo offensive onslaught in the third period. Linard Lipskis picked up his 9th win of the season, making 30 stops while Ajay White and Carter Wishart combined for 36 saves in the loss. Windigo co-captain Max Martin’s 2 goals and 4 assists in the game catapulted him to lead the entire NAHL in scoring with13 goals and 21 assists for a total of 34 points in 19 games
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Up Next: The Windigo continue their homestand by welcoming the Springfield Jr. Blues to the Dome. In recognition of Veteran’s Day, the Windigo will salute all military veterans and active duty military personnel. Veterans and those currently serving will be admitted free on both Friday and Saturday. A 50/50 raffle will be held both nights and the special patriot themed game jerseys the Windigo will wear during the weekend will be on sale, with proceeds to benefit the Veterans Resource Center of Eagle River, WI. Home game tickets are available online at www.wisconsinjuniorhockey.com/tickets or at the door. Limited reserve section access tickets are available for $15. General admission tickets are $10.