After completing its second Alaska trip without a regulation loss, the task does not get any easier for the Minnesota Wilderness.
The Wilderness return home this weekend (Feb. 6-7) for two games vs. the Wisconsin Windigo. Not only do the Windigo have the best record in the Midwest Division vs. Minnesota, they also hold the division’s longest winning streak and have moved into a tie for 2nd place.
Wisconsin has won five of the previous six meetings vs. Minnesota and won both prior games at Northwoods Credit Union Arena in Cloquet. On Oct. 24-25, the Windigo beat the Wilderness 4-3 (OT) and 4-2. Last weekend, Wisconsin swept the Chippewa Steel on the road by scores of 5-4 (SO) and 5-0 and have now won three straight contests.
The Wilderness are currently riding the franchise’s longest streak of consecutive games with at least one point at 13. Last weekend at Kenai River, it gained one point in a 3-2 overtime loss Friday night, before countering with a 6-2 victory Saturday.
The Wilderness’ current streak goes back to Dec. 19-20, which was the last time Minnesota and Wisconsin met. That series in Brookfield, WI, began with the Windigo (25-15-1) winning its fifth straight against the Wilderness, 3-2, on Friday. The Wilderness (29-7-4) came back with a 6-2 triumph Saturday and have not lost in regulation since.
These two contests will comprise first responders awareness weekend as the Wilderness honor local police, fire and other first responder units. Members of police, fire and EMT departments will get free admission to both games. The Wilderness will also be wearing special police and fire department tribute uniforms.
Puck drop in both games for this weekend’s series is set for 7:15 p.m. CST.
Birthdays: Feb. 7: Avery Anderson (F) (21); Giulio Torriero (G) (19)
Media: Watch all games on NAHLTV.com.
Midwest Division standings
| Place | Team | Games Played | Points | This week’s opponent (all games Fri./Sat. unless otherwise noted) |
| 1 | Wilderness | 40 | 62 | 2 vs. Wisconsin |
| 2 | Wisconsin | 41 | 51 | 2 @ Wilderness |
| 2 | Fairbanks | 41 | 51 | 2 vs. Anchorage |
| 4 | Springfield | 41 | 47 | 2 @ Chippewa |
| 5 | Anchorage | 39 | 43 | 2 @ Fairbanks |
| 6 | Janesville | 42 | 41 | Idle |
| 7 | Kenai River | 40 | 29 | Idle |
| 8 | Chippewa | 40 | 17 | 2 vs. Springfield |
Tale of the Tape:
| Team | GF | GA | PP | PK |
| Wisconsin | 139 | 123 | 29 for 136 (21.3%) | 23 for 127 (81.9%) |
| Wilderness | 182 | 101 | 34 for 150 (22.7%) | 29 for 155 (81.3%) |