*Photo contributed by Juan Carlos Wood – @photosbyjcw on Instagram
This past weekend, the Wisconsin Windigo began their first trip to Alaska this season with a two-game bout with the Anchorage Wolverines. On Friday, Nov. 14, Wisconsin entered a shootout for the second time this season, and took advantage of the chance to win both the shootout and the game by a score of 4-3. The Windigo would fall to Anchorage 4-1 in the second game of the series.
Friday, Nov. 14
Final Score: Windigo 4; Wolverines 3 (SO)
In the series opener, the Windigo won a battle that would only be decided after a four-round shootout. In regulation, both teams kicked off the opening period with two goals apiece. After Anchorage scored twice in a 20-second span, Windigo rookie winger Ryan Mottau grabbed his seventh goal of the season to cut the deficit in half. Less than 30 seconds later, newly-acquired winger Will Doherty scored his first goal in Windigo colors to level the score before the end of the period.
Just beyond the midway point in the second period, Doherty gave himself another reason to remember his third game with the Windigo as he scored his second goal of the outing. After taking a 3-2 lead, Anchorage would score the final goal of regulation just a few minutes later.
The two sides fought hard across the third period and overtime to set up the shootout finish. Both teams converted their first three attempts, with Windigo skaters Riley Joslin, Peyton Mithmuangneua and Doherty potting their respective attempts in that order. On the fourth try, Wisconsin turned to its’ hat-trick hero from the team’s previous series, Jackson Ernst, who buried his attempt to put the team up 4-3. On the Wolverine’s fourth attempt, Anchorage’s Rylan Bydal was denied by Windigo goaltender Casimir Weckstrom to secure the victory.
In net, Weckstrom’s big save in the shootout was one of many on the night, as he stopped 45 shots on 48 attempts in the winning effort. Friday’s win was his fourth consecutive victory, and he has made 139 saves in that stretch.
Saturday, Nov. 15
Final Score: Windigo 1; Wolverines 4
The second game of the series ended in a loss for the Windigo, which is the team’s first loss since Nov. 1 in Springfield. Despite the loss, the Windigo got on the board first with a goal from Mithmuangneua for his second point of the series. His tally was assisted by Mottau to give Wisconsin a 1-0 lead through the first 15 minutes.
From that point, Anchorage scored four goals across the remaining time on the board. Their win was highlighted by a power-play goal in the second period from their point leader Luc Bydal, who has 17 goals and 29 points through 21 games this season.
In goal for the Windigo, Easton Cody picked up the loss, but made 28 saves in the contest. He has a 2-2-0 record through his last four starts.
Windigo Stats
After the weekend slate, the Windigo are led in points by forward Teddy Richardson and defenseman Michael Ryan, who both have 18 tallies this season. Ryan has a team-best 14 assists, and Richardson is tied with Mottau with a team-leading seven goals. In goal, Weckstrom leads the team with a 5-3-1 record, a 2.56 GAA and a .927 save percentage through nine games this season.
Standings
In the Midwest Division standings for the NAHL, the Windigo surpassed the Janesville Jets and made the jump to third place with an 11-9-1 record through 21 games. With a win and a loss, Anchorage is in sixth place with a 9-9-3 record. The division is still led by the Minnesota Wilderness, who have a 13-5-2 record through 20 games this season.
Up Next
The Windigo have one stop remaining on their first trip to Alaska this season, as they head to Kenai River for two games with the Brown Bears. Both games are slated to start at 10:30 PM Central Time (7:30 PM AKST). All Windigo home and away games can be streamed on NATV. Visit nahltv.com for more details.
