*note – Wind chill values are expected to measure between -30 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday, Jan. 23. Make travel plans accordingly and dress warm. If Friday’s game were to cancel, a follow-up press release will be posted to the team website, wisconsinjuniorhockey.com
*Photo Contributed by Juan Carlos Wood – @photosbyjcw on Instagram
The Wisconsin Windigo are ready for their first three-game weekend of the calendar year with a trio of games against the visiting Chippewa Steel. The series will take place at the Ponds of Brookfield with a game each day, running from Friday, Jan. 23 to Sunday, Jan. 25. The two Wisconsin-based teams are set to face each other in five consecutive games, including two matchups in Chippewa on Jan. 30 & 31.
This past weekend, the Windigo lost their first two games of the 2026 calendar year with a pair of losses to the Springfield Jr. Blues. After sweeping Springfield a weekend prior, Wisconsin was held off the scoresheet in both contests, losing 4-0 Friday, Jan. 16 and 3-0 Saturday, Jan. 17. For the Windigo, center Josh Sardo led the team with seven shots on goal and goalie Easton Cody posted 30 saves in his lone outing.
The Steel enter Friday’s contest having lost their last four games to the Division-leading Minnesota Wilderness. Chippewa’s lone goal of the weekend was assisted by former Windigo forward Ben Norris, who is tied for the team lead with 11 points.
For the Windigo, the team enters the weekend series with 10 players on the team’s active roster above 12 points. Leading the way is team captain Alexios Georgaklis, who has 34 points across 36 games this season. Among defensemen, Declan Burns, who was named the team’s co-captain prior to his return Jan. 9, leads the core with 17 points across 20 games this season.
In the Midwest Division standings, the Windigo currently hold a 21-14-1 record through 36 games, which is good for 43 points and fourth place. They’ll aim for a series win against Chippewa, who rounds out the division in eighth with a 6-27-2 record.
So far this season, the Windigo and Steel have clashed just once. The game ended in a 4-2 victory for the Windigo thanks to four goals from former Windigo winger Teddy Richardson and another 30-save night from Cody. Overall, the Windigo lead the all-time series 23-10 and have won 12 of the last 17 meetings between the two sides.
Puck Drop on Friday, Jan. 23 is set for 5:50 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.
