*Photo Contributed by @mooseproductions___ on Instagram
The Wisconsin Windigo are off to a hot start in 2026 after sweeping their in-state rival, the Janesville Jets. The first series of the calendar year saw the Windigo combine for 10 goals across the opening series, while defending incredibly well to surrender just four goals (none of which came on an opposing power play).
Friday, Jan. 2
Final Score: Windigo 6, Jets 2
In the first game of the series, the Windigo hosted the Jets at the Ponds of Brookfield. While the outcome of the game would end heavily in Wisconsin’s favor, it was Janesville who struck first, scoring just 17 seconds into the first period. Following the small hiccup, the Windigo battled back and were eventually rewarded with the tying goal when center Josh Sardo found the back of the net. Both defenseman Riley Joslin and winger Will Doherty picked up assists on the play. Joslin and left winger Ryan Mottau were named Assistant Captains for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign, joining team Captain Alexios Georgaklis and fellow Assistant Captain Declan Burns.
Wisconsin went on to dominate the scoresheet in the second period, but didn’t score until there were less than five minutes remaining. For the opening goal of the period, Doherty slid an excellent lead pass to Sardo, who fired the puck home for his second score of the night. Friday’s pair of twine finders brought Sardo up to nine goals on the year and 12 points in his last nine games. Minutes later, center Brayden Severin redirected a shot from newly-acquired defenseman Matt MacDonald for his first goal of the season. Severin had logged 24 games on the year before then, often making his presence felt through first turnovers that don’t appear on the stat sheet. His goal would stand as the game-winning tally.
In the third period, the Windigo continued to pile on goals with the first in the period coming just under 90 seconds in. Right winger Jackson Ernst scored his eighth goal of the season to put the Windigo up 4-1. His goal was assisted by his linemate, center Peyton Mithmuangneua. Following a goal from the Jets roughly 10 minutes later, the Windigo grabbed the momentum right back when top-line right winger Max Bennett sniped a goal that ricocheted off both posts before going in to put Wisconsin up by three scores. His goal was set up by a feed from Georgaklis, which would mark his 30th point of the season. To cap off the night, top-line left winger Brendan Finley scored his 10th goal of the season to close the scoresheet, giving Wisconsin a 6-2 win.
Between the pipes for the Windigo, starting goalie Easton Cody tended one of his best games of the season. He turned aside 33 of 35 shots on net en route to his ninth win of the year.
Saturday, Jan. 3
Final Score: Windigo 4, Jets 2
Less than 24 hours later, the Windigo traveled to Mercy Health Arena in Janesville for the second game of the back-to-back. Wisconsin Head Coach John Mitchell would elect to roll out the exact same lineup, which would warrant another win by the end of regulation.
To place the first tally on the scoreboard, left winger Beau Kralovec scored his first goal since returning from injured reserve the previous game. His tally was assisted by Sardo and Ernst, who used their respective helpers to secure at least a point in each game of the series. The Jets would grab the tying goal less than three minutes later, and the opening period would end at 1-1.
The score would remain the same through the second period, largely due to Wisconsin’s strong effort defensively and continued success on the penalty kill. Through the first two periods, the Windigo were able to erase four penalties. In the second, the team also received multiple key saves from goaltender Max Larsson, who made his first start with the Windigo. Prior to his debut, he appeared in four games between stints with the Elmira Aviators and Maine Nordiques this season.
In the third period, Kralovec took over. Around two minutes into the period, he scored a clean backhanded goal, leading the puck past Janesville Netminder Kaenan Smith to put the Windigo up 2-1. Kralovec’s second goal of the game was set up by Georgaklis and defenseman Thomas Quast, who registered his first assist with the team after being acquired by Wisconsin via trade in exchange for second-year winger Ronnie Hill. In 30 games with the New Hampshire Mountain Kings this season, Quast posted 18 points.
29 seconds after Kralovec’s second tally, Janesville responded with a goal of their own. However, the two-goal winger wasn’t done scoring. With some help from Mithmuangneua and Doherty, Kralovec scored his third goal of the night to secure his first career hat trick. His performance would boost him to the NAHL third star of the week for the Midwest Division.
To close out the game, blueliner Cal Grilz scored an empty-net, shorthanded goal that traveled the entire length of the ice for his third goal of the season. With just 34 seconds left on the clock, the game was out of reach for Janesville, giving the Windigo a series sweep to open the calendar year. In net, Larsson finished the game with 22 saves on the way to his first win with the Windigo and second overall win this season.
Standings
With the series sweep, the Windigo now holds a 19-12-1 overall record through 32 games this season. While they currently sit in fourth place in the Midwest Division standings, just one place behind the Springfield Jr. Blues, the Windigo have played one less game than the Jr. Blues, who have an 18-11-4 record over 33 games. With the pair of losses, Janesville has a 14-18-1 record through 33 games, which currently places them in sixth.
For the first time in nearly one month, the Windigo returned to the NAHL Power Rankings after their impressive weekend. Wisconsin currently ranks 10th in the power rankings, just two and three spots behind their Midwest Division rivals, the Fairbanks Ice Dogs and Minnesota Wilderness, respectively.
Up Next
Looking to continue their winning streak, the Windigo are slated to play two consecutive series against the Springfield Jr. Blues. This upcoming weekend, the two sides will face off in Windigo country, at the Ponds of Brookfield, before traveling to Springfield the following weekend. Game times this weekend are set for 7:35 PM CST on Jan. 9 and 7:20 PM CST on Jan. 10.
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.
