An Ashton Dahms goal and solid goaltending from Adam Prokop were the key ingredients for the Minnesota Wilderness in a 1-0 victory Saturday night.
The win snaps a 3-game losing streak, splits the weekend series (after a 5-4 loss Friday night), and allows Minnesota to remain in first place in the Midwest Division.
Dahms scored the game’s only goal late in the first period. While on its second power play of the game, Dahms received a pass from Daniel Astapovich and whipped a shot from the high slot past Janesville netminder Jan Kasal for his team-leading 13th marker of the season.
Janesville (9-9-2) had opportunities to tie the game, including five power play chances that the Wilderness snuffed out. In the final period, the Jets outshot Minnesota 10-7 and had numerous shots in the final moments turned aside by Prokop. The 2nd year netminder from Wausau, WI, stopped 27 sent on goal in the game including a Connor Brown wrister that came directly in front with 3:15 left in the third.
For Prokop, it is his second shutout of the season and the win lifts his record to 4-2.
The teams ended up tied in shots on net at 27-27.
Minnesota (12-6-2) went one-for-three on the power play and, while including Friday night’s game, converted four of 10 chances in the weekend series.
The Wilderness next returns home for a showdown vs. 2 nd place Wisconsin. The Windigo sits just one point behind in the division standings and will be the opponent in a 2-game weekend series Nov. 17 and 18 in Cloquet. Puck drop for both contests at Northwoods Credit Union Arena will be 7:15 p.m.