*Photo Contributed by Juan Carlos Wood – @photosbyjcw on Instagram
Over the past few days, the Wisconsin Windigo extended their win streak with victories against both of their in-state rivals. The Windigo took care of business with a 6-4 victory Wednesday, Nov. 26 on the road against the Janesville Jets before hosting a 4-2 win over the Chippewa Steel Friday, Nov. 28.
Due to inclement weather Saturday, the second game of the Windigo-Steel series was postponed. The game is now scheduled to take place Tuesday, March 3 at 7:35 PM CST.
Wednesday, Nov. 26
Final Score: Windigo 6, Jets 4
In the team’s first game of the week, the Windigo took down their I-94 rival in a high-scoring affair that saw five goals in the final period. After the Jets scored first with a goal five minutes into the opening period, Windigo defenseman Declan Burns rifled a shot through traffic to score his first goal since his return to the lineup from an upper-body injury. The tally was his second goal of the season and leveled the score at a goal apiece before the end of the period.
Despite the Jets scoring within the first 30 seconds of the next period, the Windigo displayed their resilience and left the second with a 3-2 lead. Midway through the period, forward Aidan Hickok scored his second goal with Wisconsin (third of the season) when Janesville goaltender Roman Baith whiffed on the save attempt. Hickok has five points through his first 11 games with the Windigo since he was traded to the team from Springfield. Roughly five minutes later, second-year defenseman Riley Joslin netted his first goal of the season to give Wisconsin a 3-2 lead.
Midway through the third, the Windigo struck the back of the net for their third consecutive score. The twine finder was scored by center Josh Sardo, which was his second goal in as many outings. Sardo’s two-point effort earned him the first star of the game. Minutes later, forward Teddy Richardson picked up his first goal of the week for a rare shorthanded, empty-net score as the Jets put a faceoff in their offensive zone into the back of their own net. Shortly after, Windigo winger Jackson Ernst scored the second consecutive empty-net goal to give Wisconsin a 6-2 lead. After two power-play goals for the Jets in the remaining three minutes, the Windigo would hold on to win by two scores, marking their second consecutive win over Janesville.
As a unit, the Windigo thrived making plays for each other, as nine different skaters recorded an assist, including all six of the goal scorers. Outside those who lit the lamp, team captains Michael Ryan and Alexios Georgaklis had an assist, as well as winger Will Doherty.
In goal, Easton Cody posted a strong effort for his second win in a row. He stopped 40 shots and allowed just two goals at even strength. Cody was given the third star of the game for his performance.
Friday, Nov. 28
Final Score: Windigo 4, Steel 2
After the plates were cleared off the Thanksgiving table, the Windigo won their fourth consecutive game with a close victory over the Chippewa Steel. To open the scoresheet, Richardson scored a goal through traffic to put Wisconsin up 1-0 midway through the first period.
The next 25 minutes of play were a back-and-forth battle for possession. The stalemate was broken by none other than Chippewa’s Ben Norris, who played in seven games with the Windigo earlier this season. The game was tied at one goal apiece before Richardson grabbed his second goal of the game on a power-play late into the second period. Wisconsin led the game 2-1 headed into the third.
Midway through the final period, Chippewa got the game-tying goal from center Anthony Preskar. He was assisted by Norris, who is up to five points in as many games since joining the Steel. With the game tied at two with less than 90 seconds to go, the Windigo refused to bow out. After Devin Berg cleared the zone with a pass to Brendan Finley, the latter found Richardson who backhanded the go-ahead goal. 40 seconds later, Richardson wasn’t done scoring, as he outmaneuvered Chippewa’s blueliners to lead the puck into the back of net for his fourth goal of the game.
In goal, Cody drew his third straight start and picked up his third consecutive win. He made 30 saves on 32 attempts and once again received third star of the game honors.
Windigo Stats
Leading the team offensively, Richardson is currently atop the team with 28 points in 22 games this season. He leads the team with 12 goals after his historic night Friday, while Ryan has 17 assists to lead all skaters. Ryan is second on the team with 22 points and Georgaklis is third with 21 tallies.
Many other Windigo skaters have begun to find their stride outside the team’s top three scorers. Seven other players have recorded double-digit points this season, including Ernst, Finley, Burns, center Peyton Mithmuangneua, winger Ronnie Hill, winger Ryan Mottau, and defenseman Cal Grilz. Sardo is also flying up the board with five points in his last three games.
In goal, Cody is up to a 6-5-0 record with a 3.34 GAA and a .904 save percentage through 11 appearances this season. He leads all active goalies in stats following the departure of Casimir Weckstrom, who now plays with the Victoria Grizzlies of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).
Standings
With the pair of wins, the Wisconsin Windigo have moved up to first place in the NAHL Midwest Division standings for the first time this season. The Windigo currently have a 15-9-1 record and have won 11 of their last 13 games. They lead both the Minnesota Wilderness and Fairbanks Ice Dogs in games played, who occupy second and third place respectively.
With the loss Wednesday, the Jets fell to 12-12-1 on the season and are in fifth place. The Chippewa Steel currently round out the division in eighth at 4-16-2.
Up Next
After facing off against the Jets once this past week, the Windigo will head back to Janesville this weekend to finish the series. The two sides will square off Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7:05 PM CST. If you can’t make it to the road showdown, all Windigo road games can be streamed on NATV. Visit nahltv.com for more details.
