Weekend Recap: In spite of their overall record going into the weekend series, Springfield was a team not to be overlooked. The Jr. Blues have matched up well against the Windigo, winning 4 of the 6 games played between the teams going into last weekend. With just a few weeks of the regular season remaining, all eyes are on the standings to see what the playoff matchups might look like. The Windigo entered the weekend leading the Midwest Division by 3 points over the Anchorage Wolverines. Both teams swept their respective opponents last weekend and the battle for supremacy in the Midwest Division standings remained unchanged, with the Windigo maintaining their lead.
Friday, March 22: Jr. Blues 3 at Windigo 4 (OT): In an otherwise evenly played first period in which each team registered 12 shots on net, the Windigo dominated on the scoreboard with 3 unanswered goals. Mario DiMaggio scored his 3rd goal of the season with a low shot from the point that found its way through a screen and into the corner of the net. Ethan DeKay scored his first goal in 5 games since returning from an injury that kept him sidelined for two months. DeKay picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and skated wide around a defender prior to leaning towards the net. The Springfield defenseman swept the puck off of DeKay’s stick right into his own net. While on a power play late in the first period, Everett Pietila skated into the offensive zone and dropped the puck to Jacob Jastrzebski. Jastrzebski carried the puck around the back of the net and passed to Will Schumacher parked at the far faceoff circle. Schumacher’s one-timer whistled over the outstretched catching glove of Jr. Blues’ netminder J.J. Cataldo. The Windigo turned up the pressure in the second period, outshooting Springfield 11 to 6. However, Springfield registered the only goal of the middle frame with a shot from the blueline that bounced into the back of the net. Springfield continued their comeback, scoring 2 goals in the third period to force overtime. Three minutes into 3-on-3 overtime play, Max Martin skated the puck out of the corner. He fought off a Springfield defender to gain space in the slot from where he released a shot that went under Cataldo’s arm. Max Beckford recorded the win in net, making 24 saves. Cataldo took the loss with 33 saves in net for the Jr. Blues.
Saturday, March 23: Jr. Blues 1 at Windigo 5: The first period saw the Windigo outshoot the Jr. Blues 11 to 6, but it was Springfield that went into the locker room for the first intermission with a 1-0 lead. For the remainder of the game, the ice tilted in favor of the home team, with the Windigo outshooting the visitors 18 to 1 in the second period, and 16 to 8 in the third. Will Schumacher tied the game at 1:49 of the middle frame with a 5-on-3 power play goal assisted by Jacob Jastrzebski and Everett Pietila. Max Martin scored 5 minutes later after taking a pass from Carter Theissen and releasing a shot from the edge of mid-slot. Schumacher struck again after receiving a pass high in the slot from Pietila. Schumacher drifted to his right looking for a shooting lane, before sending a wrister just inside the near post. Less than a minute into the final period, Martin carried the puck into the zone and found the back of the net with a wrist shot from the top of the circle, putting his team up 4-1. Elliot Gulley and Mario DiMaggio were credited with the assists on Martin’s goal. Braydon Beahm scored his 13th goal of the season to conclude the scoring. Beahm’s unassisted goal marked the end of a 12-game scoring drought for him. Linards Lipskis made 14 shots enroute to his 20th win of the season. The Windigo peppered the Jr. Blues’ netminder with 45 shots on net.
Coach’s Comments: Windigo head coach Blake Hietala shared the following after the game on Saturday: “We accomplished what we needed this weekend. I liked the energy in the building. It’s great to see our fan support continue to grow. I’m obviously pleased with the sweep but was disappointed that we let them back in the game on Friday. We need to play with more discipline and stay out of the penalty box. I recognize that we are a little banged up and tired at this point in the season, but we need to focus on playing smart hockey. Max Martin had another great weekend. He showed the type of player and leader he is. He put the team on his back and scored a huge goal for us in overtime on Friday. It’s great to have DeKay back in the lineup. He’s starting to return to top form again. I was thrilled to see Beahm finally be rewarded for his effort. He’s been in a scoring slump recently and his unassisted goal on Saturday was a great effort. I’m sure that will boost his confidence, which is what we need as we wrap up the regular season and head into the playoffs. Schumacher had a great weekend as well. His scoring touch has been a big reason for our success this season. He’s helped our power play to be so productive.”
Midwest Star of the Week and Windigo Players Leading the League: Max Martin’s 3 goals and 2 assists on the weekend earned him Bauer Midwest Division Star of the Week honors for the third time this season. It also propelled him to a league leading 43 goals and 96 points. Tyler Grahme (who did not see action last weekend due to injury) is sixth in the league in points, with 23 goals and 39 assists. Will Schumacher’s 32 goals puts him third in the league in that category. Max Beckford’s saves percentage (0.9388) is second in the league and his goals against average (1.859) is third amongst goaltenders. Linards Lipskis won his 20th game of the season on Saturday night, good for 10th among netminders in the league.
Up Next: The Windigo travel to Minnesota to face the Wilderness on March 29 and 30. They return home to the Dome on April 6 for their final regular season game. That game will start at 7pm. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $15 for the reserved access section. Visit www.wisconsinjuniorhockey.com/tickets.