The Minnesota Wilderness scored first in both games this weekend in Eagle River, but saw the contests finish with vastly different results.
On Friday, after Peteris Purmalis opened the scoring 4:12 into the first period, the Wisconsin Windigo registered seven unanswered goals for a 7-1 victory.
On Saturday, the Wilderness pulled off a 4-3 shootout victory, despite giving up a 3-1 2nd period lead.
Nick Erickson earned the start in net in both games, taking the loss Friday and earning the win Saturday. The veteran netminder was pulled in game 1 after Wisconsin scored three times over a 1:11 span in the 2nd period to take a 4-1 lead. Newcomer Adam Mӧller, who was playing in his first game with the Wilderness after being acquired this week, finished the contest making 15 of 18 saves over 27:55. Erickson stopped 12 of 16 over 32:04.
The Windigo outshot the Wilderness 34-15. Jacob Jastrzebski led Wisconsin with two goals and one assist, while Quinn Disher posted three assists and Max Martin scored twice. Braydon Beahm, Will Schumacher and Zachary Cline all scored single goals. Max Beckford picked up the victory in net for Wisconsin with 14 saves.
Purmalis’ goal was assisted by Peyton Nelson (who, like Mӧller, was just acquired by the team this week) and Daniel Astopovich.
Both teams were awarded three power play chances. The Wilderness were unable to score on their opportunities, while the Windigo finished one-for-three.
A fighting major called on Minnesota defenseman Nolan Bettens led to a suspension that carried over into Saturday night’s game. That led to a depleted defensive corps, as the Wilderness dressed only five blue-liners in game 2.
That did not deter the Wilderness effort, as the team managed to pull off its first regular season victory in Eagle River in franchise history.
Luca Ricciardi paced the squad with two markers—his first two goals as a Wilderness player in his 37 th game, while Oliver Stümpel notched the game-winner by scoring in the first round of the shootout. Erickson sealed off 33 of 36 Windigo shots through regulation and overtime, plus all three attempts in the shootout, to improve his record to 9-3.
Ricciardi gave the Wilderness the game’s first lead, breaking his season-long scoring drought at the 5:44 mark of the first period. Patrick Dunaiski and Aiden Shirey assisted on the goal.
Adam Johnson stretched Minnesota’s advantage to two when he posted a power-play goal with 7:41 left in the opening frame. Assists on Johnson’s ninth tally of the year went to Hayden Walters (playing his 2 nd game with the Wilderness this season after being acquired from Kenai River) and Slava Tugolukov.
Wisconsin countered with a power play tally of its own when Schumacher scored with 6:31 remaining to make it 2-1, but Minnesota’s two-goal lead was restored early in the middle frame when Ricciardi notched his second of the game. Ricciardi scored on a breakaway just 1:43 after the face-off that kicked off the 2 nd period.
The Windigo, which outshot Minnesota 36-15 before the shootout, rallied to tie the game thanks to 2 nd period goals from Martin (on the power play at 6:34) and Disher (with 5:10 remaining). Those were followed by a scoreless third period and 5-minute overtime.
In the shootout, Erickson held off chances by Schumacher, Dolzhenko and Tyler Grahme. After Stümpel scored in round 1, Nelson and Astapovich were kept from adding to the Wilderness lead by Windigo goaltender Linards Lipskis.
Power play units were stronger for both squads Saturday, with the Wilderness finishing one-for-five, while Wisconsin went two-for-five.
Saturday’s victory allowed the Wilderness to move back into sole possession of first place in the Midwest Division. Minnesota (22-12-3) now sits two points ahead of Janesville, which is now tied for 2 nd with Wisconsin (20-10-5) with 35 points, although the Jets hold the tiebreaker over the Windigo having played one less game.
Minnesota’s win also snaps a home winning streak Wisconsin held in regular season contests it played against the Wilderness. Going into Saturday night’s game, Wisconsin was 7-0 (not including playoffs) vs. Minnesota at the Eagle River Sports Arena since the franchise started playing in Eagle River last season.