Weekend Recap: The Greatest Show on Ice, the NAHL Showcase was held at the National Sports Center in Blaine, MN, September 25-28. All 35 NAHL teams plus the USA National 17U team participated in one of the most heavily scouted hockey events of the year. Every NHL and NCAA D-1 team scouted the event. The Windigo did not disappoint – winning all three games. After each game several scouts were found talking with Windigo players outside their locker room. Defenseman Michael Ryan recorded 2 goals and 3 assists in 3 games at the showcase. Forward Elliot Gulley put up 4 assists. Both were nominated for NAHL Player of the Week at their respective positions.
Photos (courtesy Cathy Iverson): Lucas Szyszka (#33) makes a save, Daniil Dolzhenko (#15) heads up ice, Michael Ryan (#8) defends the rush vs Oklahoma.
Wednesday, September 25: Windigo 4 at Philadelphia Rebels 2: Philly put the Windigo on their heels, scoring just 3:24 into the contest to take an early lead. Jackson Ernst scored his first career NAHL goal to even the score near the end of the opening frame. Ernst received a backhanded pass from Braydon Beahm posted behind the net, and buried the puck top shelf from close range. While on the power play early in the second period, Michael Ryan also potted his first NAHL tally with a slapshot from the blue line. A Rebels power play goal 4:24 into the third tied the game at 2-2. A power play opportunity with under a minute to play was just what the Windigo needed to regain the lead. Luke Baker gained control of the puck on the offensive blue line and evaded two defenders on his way to the low slot. Baker spotted Brayden Beahm all alone on the far post and slid a perfect pass for Beahm’s one-timer to find the back of the net. Teddy Richardson’s empty netter in the waning seconds of play sealed the victory for the Windigo. Lucas Szyszka earned his fourth win of the season, registering 21 saves. The Windigo outshot the Rebels 34 to 23. The Windigo power play was key to the victory, scoring on 2 of 4 power play opportunities.
Friday, September 27: Oklahoma Warriors 1 at Windigo 3: After 17 minutes of back and forth action, Windigo defender Michael Ryan broke the ice with a tip in of a Mario DiMaggio pass. Teammate Braydon Beahm continued his hot hand, scoring his fourth goal of the young season with 10 seconds remaining in the opening period to put the Windigo up 2-0. Cashen Naeve continued the onslaught for the Windigo early in the second period. What appeared to be a shot/pass released by Naeve from the top of the circle was deflected by a Warrior defender past his own netminder. Lucas Szyszka’s shutout was foiled midway thru the second period when Landon Fleming scored a power play goal. A scoreless third period concluded the game. Szyszka registered his fifth win of the season in net in as many games, finishing the contest with 20 saves. Wisconsin had 31 shots on net.
Saturday, September 28: Odessa Jackalopes 3 at Windigo 6: Zach Cline’s power play goal opened the scoring for the Windigo at 12:07 of the first period. Cline’s wrist shot from the top of the circle sailed over the Odessa goalie’s glove hand into the top corner. Odessa responded a few minutes later to close the period with a 1-1 tie. Odessa scored twice early in the second period, vaulting themselves to a 3-1 lead. From then on, it was all Windigo. Lucas Busch started the onslaught after receiving a nifty backhand pass from Cashen Naeve and released a shot to the short side. Alexios Georgaklis tied the game with a wrister from the mid-slot. Michael Ryan set up the play with a tape-to-tape pass from below the goal line. Beau Kralovec’s rebound goal with 31 seconds left in the second period put the Windigo on top 4-3. Defenseman Daniil Dolzhenko took control of the game with a power play goal at 5:06 of the third. Dolzhenko received a pass from Cline on the blue line and skated around two defenders towards the net then released a backhander that slipped inside the far post. Veteran Luke Baker’s empty netter at 18:53 of the third was his first goal of the season, sealing the victory for the Windigo. Lucas Szyszka earned his sixth win of the season, stopping all 9 shots he faced in the second and third periods. Conor Doyle started the game in net for the Windigo, stopping 13 of 16 shots faced in the first 26 minutes of play. Odessa outshot the Windigo 25 to 16.
Coach’s Comments: Head coach John Mitchell offered the following after the showcase: “It was great to see our guys acquit themselves well in the spotlight that is the NAHL Showcase. There are a lot of distractions at this event, with the presence of college coaches and NHL scouts being felt by all of our players. Our veterans continue to lead the way. Guys like Beahm, Cline, Gulley, and Naeve, are getting it done on the scoreboard, as well as up and down the ice. Baker, Nickolaus and DiMaggio, are playing huge minutes and putting up key points. They are leading by example. It’s great to have Dolzhenko back. His presence on the blue line, and on the score board, was felt immediately. Lucas Busch is a welcome returner as well. He showed what he’s capable of doing in our wins over Oklahoma and Odessa. Our rookies are continuing to evolve and improve daily. What can you say about Lucas Szyszka in net? We had high hopes for him. He’s shown potential in his career in the USHL and BCHL. He leads the league with 6 wins in 6 games. The Windigo developed a legacy for great goaltending during their first two years in the NAHL. Szyszka seems to be following that trajectory. Most importantly, I’m proud of the way our guys held their composure during the past 3 games. We were disciplined. We didn’t take the bait to engage in nonsense that results in costly penalties. Our power play started to produce in the last two games. We’ll continue to work on that. Our PK is clicking at just under 89%, that’s been key to our success.”