*Photo Contributed by Kade Barkus – @momentum_by_kade on Instagram
During the team’s most recent weekend slate, the Wisconsin Windigo wrapped up their regular-season portion of the I-94 rivalry. Across two games with the Janesville Jets, the Windigo split the pair of contests, with the win coming in the second game. The solid weekend helped the Windigo secure an 8-4 win in the season series against Janesville, improving to 31-12 all-time against the Jets.
Friday, Feb. 27
Final Score: Windigo 2, Jets 6
In the opening matchup of the weekend series, the Windigo fell to the Jets, who received a four-goal effort from Hans Hedlund. He helped pave the way for the Jets, who also managed to convert on the power play three times in the contest.
While the Windigo fell short in the box score, they struck first in the contest with a power-play goal just over three minutes into the opening period. The twine finder was rifled top shelf by team captain Alexios Georgaklis for his 13th goal of the season. He was assisted by blueliner Thomas Quast, who tallied his fourth point over the team’s last five games.
While the Jets would go on to score the next four goals, the Windigo would get one goal back when winger Jackson Ernst found the back of the net. The goal was his 12th of the season and was assisted by winger McCarthy Richardson and defenseman Cal Grilz. After Janesville scored two more times, the home team would seal the 6-2 win.
In net, Windigo netminder Easton Cody was dealt a tough hand. Despite allowing six goals, he made multiple saves worthy of a highlight reel en route to a 28-save night.
Saturday, Feb. 28
Final Score: Windigo 5, Jets 1
In the 12th and final game of the regular season between the Windigo and Jets, the Windigo bounced back with an exclamation-point victory. The game was played at Kettle Moraine Ice Center in West Bend, WI, which is the home of the Windigo’s NA3HL affiliate team, the West Bend Power.
While the game would end on a high note for the Windigo, it was the Jets who struck first, securing the lone goal of the first period on a power play just under seven minutes into regulation. In the second period, the Windigo responded soundly and would even secure the lead headed into the third. To put Wisconsin on the board, Georgaklis converted his second power-play goal of the weekend to tie the game at one apiece. Wisconsin’s second goal was converted by blueliner Hunter Friedrich, who snuck the puck past the hip of Janesville netminder Kaenan Smith with a shot from distance. The goal was Fridrich’s first twine finder in the NAHL.
When the third period arrived, the Windigo hit their stride and ultimately scored three goals to secure the victory. The first tally was scored on a power play by Ernst, who was denied on his first few attempts before ultimately winning the net-front battle. The goal was his 13th of the season, which currently ranks third on the team.
In the latter half of the third period, Windigo winger Liam Grant took over the contest. Entering the period with a secondary assist on Friedrich’s goal, he scored one himself before later picking up the primary assist on the team’s final goal, which was scored by Richardson. Grant’s goal was his first of the season, and he would ultimately lead the team with three points on the night. Richardson’s goal was his fourth of the season and third with the Windigo. Between the New Hampshire Mountain Kings and Windigo, he is up to 14 points across 24 games this season.
In goal, Windigo netminder Max Larsson posted another strong performance. Despite an injury scare near the middle of the contest, he turned aside 18 of 19 shots on net en route to his sixth win with Wisconsin this season.
Standings
After the split results, the Windigo now hold a 28-18-1 record across 47 games this season and are currently in third place in the Midwest Division. They now sit four points behind the second-place Fairbanks Ice Dogs, and four points ahead of the fourth-place Springfield Jr. Blues. With the win and loss over the weekend, the Janesville Jets currently rank sixth in the division with a 22-24-1 record.
Windigo Stats
Through 47 games of the NAHL regular season, Georgaklis leads the team in points with 40. He’s tied for the team lead in goals (14) with Josh Sardo, and has also compiled one more assist than winger Peyton Mithmuangneua, who has 25 helpers and 28 points in 35 games.
Following the weekend slate, Easton Cody was called up to play with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. He posted a 13-11-0 record, a 3.24 GAA and an .898 save percentage across 25 appearances for the Windigo. Congrats Easton, and best of luck at the next level with the Gamblers!
With Cody progressing through the ranks, Max Larsson now leads the Windigo with a 6-2-0 record, a 1.70 GAA and a .932 save percentage across nine appearances this season.
Up Next
To kick off the penultimate month of the regular season, the Windigo will host the Springfield Jr. Blues for a pair of games that could have large playoff implications. The series will begin on Friday, March 6 at 7:35 PM CST, and will conclude Saturday, March 7 at 6:45 PM CST.
Tickets for each game can be purchased from the team’s website and can also be accessed using this link. If you can’t be there in person, all Windigo home and away games can be streamed on NATV. Visit nahltv.com for more details.
