Despite losing its game Friday night to the Janesville Jets, the Minnesota Wilderness will awaken Saturday morning to find itself among those qualifying for the 2023 Robertson Cup playoffs.
The Wilderness clinched a playoff spot after the Chippewa Steel defeated the Anchorage Wolverines, 6-3, Friday night in Anchorage, AK. That Anchorage loss guarantees the Wilderness will finish the season within the top four of the Midwest Division. The top four teams in each of the NAHL’s divisions will participate in the post-season. Minnesota currently occupies 2nd place in the division with 69 points, four points behind the first place Wisconsin Windigo, and six points ahead of third place Kenai River, followed by Chippewa in fourth with 62 points.
The Fairbanks remains in contention for the playoffs at 59 points, but has only three games left on its schedule to gain ground on either Chippewa or Kenai River.
Five games remain on the Wilderness regular season schedule. It will begin the first round of the playoffs during the weekend of April 21-22 with its opponent and location yet to be determined.
This will mark the third straight season Minnesota has advanced to the post-season, and eighth time in its 10 seasons playing in the NAHL.
The Wilderness will conclude its weekend road series at Janesville Saturday night, with the final game set for 7 p.m.