After missing 13 games due to injury, Minnesota Wilderness forward Adam Johnson returned to the lineup in style Friday night. Johnson scored the game-winning goal 47 seconds into overtime to defeat the Chippewa Steel, 4-3.
The goal marked the end of a back-and-forth battle, which saw the Steel score twice in the opening period for the contest’s first lead, only to see the Wilderness score three consecutive to go in front. Chippewa then notched a tying goal early in the third period that forced overtime.
Gustavs Ozolins helped set up the game-winner when he carried the puck into the offensive zone, where it eventually made its way to Johnson all alone in the right circle. Johnson then whipped the puck past goaltender Nathan Mach on the stick side between Mach and the left post for the veteran forward’s seventh goal of the season.
In goal, Nick Erickson made 24 saves on 27 shots for his first road victory of the campaign and improve his record to 6-2.
The game started with the Steel getting goals from Peyton Platter and Tomas Trunda just 1:24 apart to open up a 2-0 lead just 9:22 into the first period. The Wilderness countered when a shot from the slot gave Colton Nestler his first Junior A goal with 4:08 left in the opening frame.
Controversy arose when it appeared Minnesota had tied the game on a shot from Riley Mullen. The rookie defensemen sent one into the back of the net when he fired from the right point 5:46 into the 2nd . However, the goal ended up being waved off after the officials determined it was directed in with a high stick.
That did not deter Minnesota as it added two more in the 2nd period to take a 3-2 advantage. Dylan Moore, an affiliated player from the Chicago Reapers AAA program, intercepted a clearing pass in the offensive zone and struck gold at the 10:33 mark for his first junior A goal in his first junior A game to tie the score at two. That was followed by breakaway goal by Daniel Astopovich—his eighth of the season with 6:05 left in the frame to put the Wilderness in front.
Chippewa then evened the score again on a tally by Joe Kelly 3:20 into the third.
The Wilderness outshot the Steel, 40-27.
Both teams finished scoreless on special teams, as Minnesota had three power play chances, compared to two for Chippewa (15-12-3).
By earning the victory, Minnesota (19-9-3) gets to begin its holiday break on a positive note. The Wilderness is now off until the week heading into New Year’s weekend, where it will host the Janesville Jets in a 2-game series on Dec. 30-31.