The Minnesota Wilderness go into game 3 of their Midwest Division Final series vs. the Wisconsin Windigo facing their stiffest challenge of the 2025-26 campaign.
After Wisconsin captured the first two contests of the best of 5 series by scores of 4-3 (OT) and 3-2, Minnesota enters hostile territory in a must-win situation. Game 3 is slated for Friday night (May 8) at the Windigo’s home arena – the Ponds of Brookfield, in Brookfield, WI. If the Wilderness win Friday, game 4 will also be in Brookfield on Saturday night (May 9). If the series is tied after Saturday night, a game 5 will be held Monday (May 11) in Proctor to determine who moves on in the Robertson Cup playoffs.
Zachary Homer and Max Edwards extended into the second round point streaks that began in round 1. Homer scored in game 1, and assisted in game 2, giving him points in his last five post-season contests. Edwards had the same results with a goal and assist in games 1 and 2, respectively, and now has points in his last 3 playoff contests.
After making his playoff debut in the Wilderness lineup in game 4 vs. Anchorage, where he scored the overtime game-winner, Edwards now has one point in all three of his post-season games. Against the Windigo, when including the regular season, the rookie forward from Scottsdale, AZ, is averaging a point per game, recording three goals and three assists in six games.
Ryan Mottau continues to be a thorn in the Wilderness’ side. The Windigo forward scored once in each game last weekend to begin round 2, after completing a regular season series vs. Minnesota with four goals and four assists over eight games.
This series features three players the NAHL named to the All-Midwest Division Team. The Wilderness have forward Noah Dziver and Ryan Gerlich on the team, while the Windigo have defenseman Declan Burns.
Both games in Brookfield are slated to begin at 6:35 p.m. CDT. If Minnesota can force a game 5, that would be at 6:15 p.m. Monday at the Aspirus St. Luke’s Sports and Event Center in Proctor, MN.
Wilderness Birthday: Bryce Dahl – May 11 (20)
Media: Watch all games on NAHLtv.com.
Series Schedule:
| Game # | Date | Score | Location |
| 1 | May 1 | WIS 4, MNW 3 (OT) | Proctor, MN |
| 2 | May 2 | WIS 3, MNW 2 | Proctor, MN |
| 3 | May 8 (6:35 p.m. CDT) | TBD | Brookfield, WI |
| 4* | May 9 (6:35 p.m. CDT) | TBD | Brookfield, WI |
| 5* | May 11 (6:15 p.m. CDT) | TBD | Proctor, MN |
*if necessary
Post Season Tale of the Tape
| Team | GF | GA | PP | PK | PIMs |
| WIS | 17 (2.4 GFPG) | 12 (1.7 GAPG) | 3 for 22 (13.6%) | 27 for 29 (93.1%) | 100 |
| MNW | 19 (3.2 GFPG) | 12 (2 GAPG) | 6 for 28 (21.4%) | 19 for 21 (90.5%) | 115 |
MNW PP in 2nd round series 1 for 11; PK 2 for 9
Regular Season Tale of the Tape
| Team | Record | Points | GF | GA | PP | PK | PIMs |
| WIS | 34-21-4 | 72 | 191 (3.24 GFPG) | 169 (2.86 GAPG) | 42 for 210 (20%) | 36 for 200 (82%) | 825 |
| MNW | 42-12-5 | 89 | 249 (4.22 GFPG) | 148 (2.5 GAPG) | 48 for 237 (20.3%) | 37 for 224 (83.5%) | 882 |
Wilderness vs. Wisconsin Regular Season Game-by-Game
| Date | Score | Location |
| Oct. 24 | WIS 4, MNW 3 (OT) | Cloquet, MN |
| Oct. 25 | WIS 4, MNW 2 | Cloquet, MN |
| Nov. 7 | WIS 6, MNW 4 | Brookfield, WI |
| Nov. 8 | WIS 4, MNW 3 | Brookfield, WI |
| Dec. 19 | WIS 3, MNW 2 | Brookfield, WI |
| Dec. 20 | MNW 6, WIS 2 | Brookfield, WI |
| Feb. 6 | MNW 4, WIS 2 | Cloquet, MN |
| Feb. 7 | MNW 4, WIS 2 | Cloquet, MN |
Playoff Goalie Comparison
| Name | Team | Games | Won/Loss | GAA | Save % | Shutouts |
| Max Larsson |
WIS |
7 | 5-2 | 1.54 | .954 | 2 |
| Ryan Gerlich | MNW | 6 | 3-3 | 1.92 | .933 | 2 |
Wilderness Top Playoff Scorers (min. 2 points)
| Name | Games | Goals | Assists | Points |
| Talan Blanck | 6 | 6 | 5 | 11 |
| Avery Anderson | 6 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| Zachary Homer | 4 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Logan Nagle | 6 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Theo Kiss | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Noah Dziver | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Max Edwards | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Matt Hauser | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Ryan DeAngelis | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| River Freeman | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Single goals: Cappello and Dahl
Single assists: Gudin, Karlsson, Kim, Luger, Martens, Reeves
Wisconsin Top Playoff Scorers (min. 2 points)
| Name | Games | Goals | Assists | Points |
| A.J. Bongiorno | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Aidan Hickok | 7 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Peyton Mithmuangneua | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Joshua Sardo | 7 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Alexios Georgaklis | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Beau Kralovec | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Ryan Mottau | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Ryan Mottau | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Devin Berg | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Jackson Ernst | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Brendan Finley | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Brayden Severin | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Sutton Verot | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Single assists: Burns, Friedrich, Miller and Steele