(Photo courtesy Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report)
Weekend Recap: Games 1 and 2 of the NAHL Midwest Division Championships were held in Anchorage on May 3 and 4. The Windigo dropped both games, which resulted in the playoffs shifting to Eagle River, WI, for the remainder of the best of five game series. The Windigo have their backs against the wall but have performed exceptionally well at home all season, having won 24 of 28 regular season games played at the Dome. The Windigo also won both of their home games in round 1 of the playoffs. In previous meetings this season at the Dome, the Windigo swept Anchorage in a 2-game series on February 2 and 3.
Friday, May 3: Wisconsin 2 at Anchorage 3: The Windigo came out strong and carried the play throughout most of the game, outshooting the Wolverines 31 to 16. However, the Wolverines struck first with 6 minutes remaining in the opening frame. An innocent looking shot from the point was tipped in front of the net and bounced over Windigo goalie Max Beckford’s glove. While on a power play, Everett Pietila re-directed an Erick Comstock shot from the point to tie the game with 45 seconds remaining in the first period. The Wolverines regained the lead at 14:16 of the second period when a shot from the point slipped between Beckford’s legs. Tyler Hennen increased his team’s lead to 3 to 1 when he backhanded the puck across the top of the crease and off Beckford’s stick into the net. The Windigo mounted a comeback attempt out shooting the Wolverines 11 to 5 in the final period. Windigo defenseman, Carter Theissen brought his team to within 1 with an end to end rush and highlight reel goal. Theissen picked up the puck behind his net and rushed up ice. He eluded a Wolverine forechecker as he exited his defensive zone. He bore down on 3 Wolverine defenders lined up across their blueline to stop him. Theissen slipped thru the middle untouched and deposited the puck between Wolverine netminder Liam Beerman’s legs. The Windigo continued to apply pressure throughout the remainder of the game. They pulled Beckford with just over 2 minutes remaining but were unable to tie the game. Beerman finished the game with 29 saves. Beckford took the loss in net with 14 saves on the 16 shots he faced.
Saturday, May 4: Wisconsin 3 at Anchorage 6: Anchorage struck first, just 1:50 into the game scoring a power play goal on a shot from the point. Windigo co-captain Will Schumacher tied the game midway thru the first period, with his own shot from the point that was deflected into the net by an Anchorage defender. Everett Pietila and Max Martin were credited with assists on Schumacher’s power play goal. Anchorage forward Taisetsu Ushio scored back to back goals, putting his team up 3 to 1, prior to the close of the first period. Shots on goal in the opening frame were relatively even, with the Wolverines credited with 12 shots to 11 for the Windigo. Max Beckford was replaced in goal by Linards Lipskis to start the second period. Lipskis gave up one goal (during a Wolverine power play) on the 12 shots he faced in the second period. The Windigo commenced a comeback attempt when Braydon Beahm scored just 26 seconds into the third period. Carrying the puck in the neutral zone, Martin found Beahm skating along the far boards and passed him the puck. Beahm sliced into the offensive zone and released a shot. The rebound bounced back to Beahm as he was crossing thru the low slot, from where he released a backhanded shot that found the back of the net. The Wolverines answered just 11 seconds later to put the score at 5-2 in favor of the home team. Lucas Busch restored the Windigo’s hope for a comeback with a one-timer off a great pass from Zach Cline. Trailing 5 to 3 and with time running out, Windigo head coach Blake Hietala pulled his netminder in favor of a sixth attacker. Anchorage closed out the scoring with an empty net goal with a minute remaining in the game. Max Beckford turned away 9 of the 12 shots he faced in the first period. Linards Lipskis had 16 saves on 18 shots faced during his 2 periods of play. Liam Beerman earned the win in net for Anchorage by saving 22 of the 25 shots the Windigo sent his way. game. The game was marked by physical play in which a combined 15 penalties were called.
Coach’s Comments: Windigo head coach Blake Hietala shared the following after the games in Anchorage, “It was a tough weekend for us. We out played and out chanced them on Friday. We played well enough to win that game 9 times out of 10. We gave up a couple of goals we’d like to have back. They benefited from some puck luck. Our first power play created several great looks, and we capitalized on one of them. Subsequent power plays weren’t as successful. We need to get back to focusing on sharp and quick puck movement. Saturday was a more physical game. We know that their focus is to try to slow us down. We laid a number of punishing checks on them. We had some great scoring chances and hit the post 3 times. The complexion of the game could have been very different if one or more of those shots went in. We struggled all weekend in net. Anchorage benefited from some puck luck again on Saturday, but we need to get back to tracking the puck and playing a solid game defensively. We’re looking forward to playing at home next weekend in front of some of the best fans in Junior hockey. This series is far from over.”
Up Next: The Midwest Division Playoff Championship series finds the Windigo needing to win out the remaining 3 games to advance to the NAHL semi-finals. Game 3 of the series is Friday, May 10, at 7pm at the historic Dome in Eagle River, WI. If the Windigo win on Friday, game 4 of the series will be Saturday, May 11, at 7pm at the Dome. Game 5, if necessary, will be at the Dome at 6pm on Sunday, May 12. Playoff tickets are $20 for reserved section access, $15 for general admission adults, $10 for youth tickets (ages 6 to 18). Children ages 5 and under will be admitted free with an adult. Tickets will be available at the door 1 hour prior to game time and are available online at www.wisconsinjuniorhockey.com/tickets.