Weekend Recap: The Windigo visited Springfield and swept the Jr. Blues to clinch first place in the Midwest Division regular season standings. The sweep brought the Windigo to 40 wins this season, setting a regular season franchise record eclipsing the previous record of 39 wins during both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. The Windigo maintained their eight-point lead in the standings over Anchorage and Fairbanks, who are tied for second with 76 points. Anchorage swept Kenai River to earn four points. The Chippewa Steel (63 points) earned two points by winning one of three games at Fairbanks to hold down the fourth and final playoff spot. The Minnesota Wilderness, still in playoff contention, split with Janesville to finish the weekend with 60 points in the standings. Springfield is still in the hunt for a playoff spot with 59 points. All Midwest Division teams have two regular season games remaining.
Friday, April 4 – Windigo 3 at Jr. Blues2 (OT): The Windigo came roaring out of the gates, peppering Jr. Blues netminder Frank Murphy with 19 shots on net during the first period alone. But it was the Jr. Blues who struck first midway through the opening frame by taking advantage of a Windigo turnover deep in their zone. A Windigo defender picked up the puck behind his net and had plenty of time to execute a zone exit. Unfortunately, the pass he ultimately made was intercepted by a Jr. Blues player who quickly moved the puck to a teammate who was all alone in the slot for an easy goal. Three minutes later, Felix Haibock scored his 5th goal of the season to tie it up for the Windigo. Windigo defenseman Michael Ryan carried the puck into the offensive zone and dropped the puck to John Halverson, planted on the blue line. Halverson released a slap shot that resulted in a rebound. Haibock slapped the loose puck home to the far side. The second period was scoreless with each team credited with 8 shots on net. Luke Baker put the Windigo in the lead just under two minutes into the third period. Alexios Georgaklis carried the puck into the zone along the far boards. He backhanded the puck towards the goal just as Baker arrived to redirect it into the back of the net. Aidan Hickok weaved his way through three Windigo defenders to tie the game for Springfield midway through the third period. Neither team would score again in regulation, sending the game into overtime. The 3-on-3 overtime play was characterized by tight checking and tentative play, resulting in each team only placing one shot on net. Just as it appeared the contest would be decided by shootout Mario DiMaggio sprang into action. DiMaggio carried the puck out of his defensive zone and thru neutral ice. As he entered the offensive zone, he crossed through the high slot from left to right before turning to release a wrist shot past the outstretched glove of Murphy. Beau Altman, recently returned from the USHL Green Bay Gamblers, got the start in net and made 26 saves for his ninth win of the season. Murphy saved 36 of the 39 shots the Windigo placed on net. Neither team incurred a penalty during the game.
Saturday, April 5 – Windigo 2 at Jr. Blues 1 (OT) : The Windigo rested a few veterans on Saturday in preparation for the playoffs. In an effort to keep their playoff hopes alive, Springfield came out flying in the first period, outshooting the Windigo 14 to 7. Windigo netminder Beau Altman was up to the task and the first period ended scoreless. The Windigo flipped the script during the second period, outshooting their hosts 22 to 7. Frank Murphy stood tall in the net for Springfield and kept the Windigo off the scoreboard. Springfield broke the ice when forward Jagur McClelland beat a Windigo defender wide and crashed towards the net with just under 8 minutes remaining. Teammate Niko Laus tapped in the rebound that lay just above the goal line. Zach Cline finally got the Windigo on the board with 4:23 remaining. Wyatt Herres made a clearing pass to Alexios Georgaklis at the far blue line. Georgaklis redirected the puck to Zach Cline as he cut left to right into the offensive zone. Cline spun around in the faceoff circle and released the shot that tied the game. For the second consecutive night, the game headed to 3-on-3 overtime play. Perhaps motivated by Cline’s late goal, the Windigo carried the play in overtime, outshooting the Jr. Blues 5 to 1. With just under 30 seconds remaining in overtime, Frank Murphy cleared a Windigo shot out to the blue line. Windigo defender Wyatt Herres picked up the loose puck and passed it to John Halverson to the far side of the net. Halverson went from forehand to backhand, drawing a defender towards him. He slid the puck to Jackson Ernst planted at the top of the goal crease to Murphy’s right. Ernst released a one-timer to score his 11th goal of the season. Beau Altman saved 26 of 27 shots on net for his 10th win of the season. Murphy took the loss in net for Springfield with a strong 47 save effort.
Coach’s Comments: “Once again, I was proud of the effort our guys displayed this weekend. After the long trip to Alaska and an 8-hour bus ride to Springfield, it is hard to predict what kind of effort we’re going to get from the guys. We talk about preparation and mental focus, and it seems to be working now for this group. We were a little sluggish at times this weekend and made a couple of defensive errors that they took advantage of, but we maintained our composure. We were disciplined and stayed out of the penalty box for the most part. Our penalty kill was perfect once again. Five different players scored this weekend. At the start of the season we talked as an organization about the need to replace the 148 goals scored last season by 6 different players that moved on to college or other junior leagues. We recognized that as a tall task to overcome, but we have. We have 10 players with 11 or more goals thus far this season. We have 4 more players knocking on double digits. We look to continue the pace going into the playoffs. Altman was strong in net for us. It’s great to have him back and be able to give Szyszka a little rest to prepare for the playoffs. Of course, we are pleased to have clinched home ice for the playoffs, but that is just one of our goals this season. We close the regular season on the road and will take it one day at a time as we get ready for the playoffs.”
Up Next – The Windigo conclude regular season competition on the road in Janesville, taking on the Jets on April 11 and 12. You can watch the Windigo while they are on the road at www.nahltv.com.
Playoff Update: The Windigo will have home ice advantage throughout the Midwest Division playoffs. The Windigo will host either Chippewa, Minnesota, or Springfield, in the first round of the playoffs on April 18 and 19. The games will start at 7pm CDT at the historic Dome in Eagle River. Tickets are available online at www.wisconsinjuniorhockey.com/tickets..