Photos: Lucas Szyszka (#33) makes a spectacular save; Braydon Beahm (#11) carries the puck up ice, Mario DiMaggio (#7) leads a goal celebration line, Martin Klicka (#26) completes a pass.
Weekend Recap: The Springfield Jr. Blues visited the historic Dome in Eagle River, WI, last weekend for the first time this season. The Windigo won both games and in the process reclaimed first place in the NAHL Midwest Division standings. Anchorage split their series on the road against the Kenai River Brown Bears. As a result, they trail the Windigo by 2 points in the standings (53 to 51). Fairbanks won, then lost in overtime, at home versus Janesville to retain third place in the Midwest Division with 47 points. Springfield holds down fourth with 40 points.
Friday, January 17 – Jr. Blues 0 at Windigo 4: The first period was characterized by a tight checking and limited offensive opportunities. Springfield outshot the Windigo 5 to 3 in the opening frame but neither team was able to find the back of the net. The Windigo sprung to life in the second period, outshooting Springfield 15 to 9. Mario DiMaggio got the Windigo on the board just over eight minutes into the second period. A shot by Zach Cline was kicked out to the far boards from where DiMaggio recovered the puck and released a quick shot that found its way just inside the near post. Alexis Georgaklis scored his 8th of the season to make it 2 to 0 in favor of the Windigo. Luke Baker and Wyatt Herres were credited with assists. John Halverson scored his first goal as a Windigo to put his new team up 3 to 0 just prior to the end of the middle frame. Playing in his third game for the Windigo after being acquired in a trade with the Northeast Generals, Halverson received a pass from Jordan Brothers and released a shot that found its mark. Early in the third period, Windigo defenseman Martin Klicka scored his 3rd goal of the season with a slapshot from the top of the faceoff circle. Logan Nickolaus and Mario DiMaggio were credited with the assists. The Windigo outshot their guests 11 to 5 in the final period. Lucas Szyszka earned his second consecutive shutout with 19 saves.
Saturday, January 18 – Jr. Blues 1 at Windigo 2: Saturday’s rematch looked to be one that the Windigo would easily walk away with after scoring two unanswered goals in the first period. However, Springfield put up a valiant effort to keep the game close. Braydon Beahm scored his 25th goal of the season just 1:39 into the contest. Beahm received a pass from Ben Aucoin in the mid-slot. His shot went low to the blocker side just inside the post. Relentless forechecking by John Halverson set up the play. Aucoin scored one of his own halfway thru the opening frame. Halverson carried the puck into the offensive zone and dropped the puck to Aucoin. Aucoin showed great patience as he carried the puck across the top of the slot, looking for a shooting lane to develop. His shot from 40’ out seemed to handcuff Springfield’s netminder. Springfield took advantage of a second period power play to score their loan goal of the weekend. Jack Klevby, planted at the top of the Windigo goal crease, tipped a shot from the point past Windigo netminder Lucas Szyszka. After a scoreless third period, in which Springfield outshot the Windigo 7 to 5, the Windigo clinched the weekend sweep. Szyszka made 24 saves enroute to his 19th win of the season, good for second most wins of any goaltender in the league to date this season.
Coach’s Comments: Windigo head coach John Mitchell had the following to say after the weekend series: “It was great to come away with the sweep this weekend. Springfield is a much improved team over last year and pushed hard all weekend long. Six different players scored for us this weekend. Having multiple guys who can contribute on the scoreboard is important. Szyszka played well in the net all weekend. He’s given up only 1 goal in the last three games. He seems to be finding his rhythm again. Szyszka is certainly deserving of Midwest Division Star of the Week honors. I liked our energy on Friday and early in the game on Saturday. We have to continue to work all 60 minutes of every game. Our power play has been faltering lately and that is something we will focus on in preparation going forward. We have work to do to prepare for the long trip to Springfield. They’ve been playing well at home all season long and we’ve got to be ready right from the start.”
Lucas Szyszka Named Bauer Midwest Star of the Week: Windigo netminder Lucas Szyszka has been named the NAHL Bauer Hockey Midwest Division Star of the Week for the week of January 20. Lucas turned in a stellar performance in net for the Windigo in the two-game sweep over Springfield. He registered a shutout on Friday, stopping all 19 shots faced. On Saturday, he led the Windigo to victory once again with 24 saves of the 25 shots faced. His goals against average over the last three games has been a remarkable 0.333. For the season, Lucas has earned 19 wins (second most in the entire NAHL) and registered a 2.345 GAA and .910 saves %. Congratulations, Lucas!
Coach Mitchell Named Head Coach of Midwest Division Top Prospects Team: By virtue of his team holding first place in the Midwest Division standings, Windigo head coach John Mitchell has been named head coach of the Midwest Division all-star team for the NAHL Top Prospects Showcase to be held in Plymouth, MI, on February 17 and 18. The Midwest Division team will compete against all-star teams from the other three NAHL divisions. Four or more Windigo players will be selected to play in the showcase. Player selections will be announced at a later date. The event is traditionally one of the most heavily scouted events of the season by NHL and college teams.
Up Next: The Windigo hit the road to face the Springfield Jr. Blues in a two game series in Springfield, IL, on January 24 and 25. You can follow the Windigo while they are on the road on NATV. Subscribe at www.nahltv.com.