*Photo Contributed by Juan Carlos Wood – @photosbyjcw on Instagram
In the team’s lone game of the weekend, the Wisconsin Windigo won their fifth consecutive game with a 6-3 win over the Janesville Jets. The road win marked the team’s 12th victory in their last 14 games, as the Windigo continue to be a force near the top of the NAHL’s Midwest Division.
Saturday, Dec. 6
Final Score: Windigo 6, Jets 3
The Windigo opened the scoresheet Saturday within the first minute of the game. Winger Will Doherty scored the opening goal for the team, which was his fourth goal since joining the Windigo nine games ago. On Doherty’s goal, winger Sutton Verot notched his third assist of the season through six games. Roughly six minutes later, team captain Michael Ryan backhanded a goal at the far post to double the lead. The tally was Ryan’s sixth goal of the season and 23rd overall point. On the team’s second goal, center Peyton Mithmuangneua picked up his 13th assist and 16th point this season across 17 games played.
While the second period had the most goals scored between the two teams, neither side found the back of the net until there were less than four minutes remaining. In the early portion of the period, the Windigo were able to erase multiple penalties, including two consecutive 5-on-3 situations, through a strong defensive coverage in front of goaltender Easton Cody. He shined in net for the team with 34 saves on 37 attempts and made multiple key saves along the way.
In terms of goals scored, the first twine finder of the second period was put away by assistant captain Declan Burns, who sniped the puck top shelf on a power play to give Wisconsin a 3-0 lead. Burn’s goal was his third of the season and he remains a point-per-game player through 13 appearances. Less than two minutes later, center Josh Sardo scored the team’s second consecutive power-play goal to put the Windigo up by four. His top-corner strike was his fourth goal of the season and 10th total point through 13 games, as he became the 11th member of the team to reach double-digits in points this year.
After the Jets scored their first two goals of the game, including one that would require a video review to be overturned, the score would be 4-2 through the first two periods. By the end of the second, top-line winger Teddy Richardson had three assists, including two primary helpers on the goals scored by Ryan and Burns.
Midway through the third period, team captain Alexios Georgaklis grabbed his third point of the game with a goal off a rebounded shot from right winger Max Bennett. Georgaklis’ goal was his ninth of the season and Bennett’s assist was his first with the Windigo after being acquired by the team two games ago from the Powell River Kings of the BCHL.
Ten minutes would pass before the Jets would be the next team to score, making the score 5-3 with two minutes to play. Going empty net from that point out, Janesville’s comeback effort would be halted a minute later as Windigo winger Brendan Finley found the back of the empty net to send Wisconsin home with a 6-3 win. Finley’s goal was his eighth of the season and 15th point overall, which currently ranks fifth on the team. Both Doherty and Georgaklis picked up an assist on the empty-netter, giving Doherty two points on the night and Georgaklis his fourth point to lead the team.
Standings
With the win, the Windigo improved to 16-9-1 on the season to maintain their spot in second place for the Midwest Division. They are tied with the 16-6-2 Minnesota Wilderness for the most wins in the division. The Windigo have surged up the standings over the past two months with 12 wins in their last 14 games and five consecutive victories. With the loss, Janesville falls to 13-13-1 on the year and they find themselves in fifth place.
Windigo Stats
After Saturday’s six-goal showing, the Windigo are led in points by Richardson, who has 31 points in 23 games this season. With four points Saturday, Georgaklis now has nine goals and 16 assists through 26 games this year. Both skaters rank among the top 10 in all-time points for the Windigo. In net, Cody leads the team with a 7-5-0 record through 12 appearances this season. He has won four straight starts and has a 3.31 GAA and a .906 save percentage overall.
Up Next
Prior to the Holiday break, the Windigo will return to the Ponds of Brookfield for two home series. To start the homestand, Wisconsin will host the Anchorage Wolverines for the first time this season after the two sides played in mid-November. The series kicks off Friday, Dec. 12 at 7:35 PM CST before the two teams play again Sunday, Dec. 14 at 7:15 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.
