Minnesota Magicians Weekly
December 3, 2014 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Minnesota Magicians News Release
Weekend Recap:
The Magicians returned home to Minnesota from Alaska on November 22nd, but the road trip was not quite over. Before the team could return to the ice at Richfield Arena in front of a home crowd, it first had to make a trip to Northern Minnesota on Wednesday and then make a stop in La Crosse, Wisconsin on Friday.
It was another Wednesday night in Cloquet with the Magicians looking to earn a 2nd consecutive win against their rivals from the Midwest Division. Unfortunately, the Wilderness proved to be too much for the Magicians this time around, defeating the Red & Black 5-2 at the Northwoods Credit Union Arena. On Friday, the Magicians were on the road once again, this time to La Crosse, Wisconsin to play the Coulee Region Chill for the first time this season. Despite an improved defensive effort, the Magicians were unable to muster a strong enough offensive attack and were defeated by the Chill in a tight contest. On Saturday, the two teams faced off once again, this time at Richfield Arena in front of a lively crowd who had been waiting for 3-weeks since last seeing the boys play on home ice. The advantage of playing on home ice did little to change the result, however, as the Chill were able to score a clutch goal late in the game to steal a victory and complete the weekend sweep. The Magicians losing streak now sits at 9-games as the team desperately searches for an answer to their recent woes.
Wednesday
Final Score: Magicians 2 - Wilderness - 5
Star of the Game: Nathan Krusko - The rookie forward had a hand in both Magicians goals, scoring a powerplay goal early in the 2nd period and following up with an assist 10 minutes later.
Venue: Northwoods Credit Union Arena - Cloquet, Minnesota
The Magicians had barely resettled in Minnesota after returning from Alaska before they were off to Cloquet to once again face the Wilderness in a midweek game. Confident after earning a victory on their last trip to the Northwoods Credit Union Arena, the Magicians entered the game on Wednesday looking to end what was then a 6-game losing streak.
In the first period, the Wilderness took control with two unanswered goals and took their lead into the intermission. In the second period,
Nathan Krusko put the Magicians on the board with his 8th goal of the season (Assists from Sam Becker & Marc Michaelis ). Minutes later, Kildeer Illinois native Kane Durment tied the game on a goal assisted by Krusko and Matt Colford . The Wilderness answered the Durment goal late in the 2nd period, and the Magicians entered the third period down a goal.
In the third, Wilderness forward Darian Romanko put the game away with 2 goals. When the final buzzer sounded the scoreboard read Wilderness-5, Magicians-2. Rookie goaltender
Cole Weaver got the start for the Magicians, making 30 saves in the defeat. He is now 1-3 this season.
Friday:
Final Score: Magicians 1 - Coulee Region Chill 2
Star of the Game: Chris Amsden - The Goaltender played well despite taking the loss, stopping 30 of 32 Coulee Region shots on goal.
Venue: Green Island Ice Arena - La Crosse, Wisconsin
On Friday, the Magicians were on the road once again facing the the Coulee Region Chill for the first time this season. The Chill relocated to La Crosse, Wisconsin this year, and currently sit in the middle of the Midwest Division standings.
After a scoreless 1st period, the Chill were the first team to hit the board on a goal by Eddie Matsushima in the 2nd. Magicians forward Nathan Krusko tied the game shortly thereafter (Assist by Marc Michaelis) and the game entered the 3rd period in a 1-1 deadlock.
In the 3rd, it was Dominik Florian for the Chill scoring the go ahead, and eventually game-winning goal. The loss pushed the Magicians losing streak to 8 games. In the defeat, goaltender
Chris Amsden was solid between the pipes, stopping 30 of 32 shots.
Saturday:
Final Score: Magicians 1 - Coulee Region Chill 2
Star of the Game: Kane Durment - The rookie forward scored his 2nd goal of the week. He currently leads all Magicians rookies with 17 points this year.
Venue: Richfield Arena
Attendance: 948
After a 3-week road trip, the Magicians were finally back on home ice on Saturday in a rematch vs. the Chill. It was another great crowd at Richfield arena as the local support of the team continues to grow with each game.
In the 1st period, the Magicians were able to take the lead on an unassisted goal by Kane Durment. The rookie forward made a couple of great moves on his way to notching his 7th goal of the season. The Chill were able to answer before the end of the period, however, and scoreboard showed 1-1 during the first intermission.
After some entertaining Turkey Bowling during the first intermission, a defensive 2nd period yielded 0-goals and the two teams once again entered the third period tied at 1 goal apiece.
In the third, the Chill capitalized on a defensive breakdown to break the tie and take the lead. The Magicians were unable to answer and left the ice on Saturday with no points and nothing to show for the 9th consecutive game.
Up Next:
Friday December 5th vs. Austin Bruins - 7:15 PM @ Richfield Arena
Sunday December 7th vs. Minnesota Wilderness - 6:00 PM @ Richfield Arena
Worth Noting:
The Magicians recently completed a trade with the Austin Bruins. Moorhead native Tony Uglem, an original member of the Minnesota Magicians, was traded to the Bruins in exchange for Brady Jones, a young forward from Farmington Hills, Michigan.
The Magicians' 2nd Annual Teddy Toss for Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota will be held on December 20th at 7:05 PM as the team faces off against the Austin Bruins at Richfield Arena. Fans are encouraged to bring New Teddy Bears and other Stuffed Animals to the game. After the Magicians' first goal of the game, all of the teddy bears and stuffed animals will be thrown onto the ice and collected by Magicians players and staff. All of the collected stuffed animals will then be donated by the team to the local Children's Hospitals in time for the holidays.
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