Minnesota Magicians Weekly
December 8, 2014 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Minnesota Magicians News Release
Weekend Recap:
November was not kind to the Minnesota Magicians, and the team welcomed December as a chance to start anew and return to the form that had them in contention for a Midwest Division title only a month ago. On Friday, the Magicians got off to a great start against the Austin Bruins before surrendering 7-unanswered goals in a disappointing home loss. After a day off on Saturday, the team returned to home ice in a game against the Minnesota Wilderness. After falling behind 3-0 to the visitors, the Magicians stormed back to tie the game and eventually won in a thrilling shootout to the pleasure of the home crowd.
Friday:
Final Score: Magicians 3 - Austin Bruins 7
Star of the Game: Sam Becker - The veteran defenseman had 2 assists and was +1 for the game. He currently leads all North American Hockey League (NAHL) defensemen with 20 assists on the season.
Venue: Richfield Ice Arena
Attendance: 515
Game Summary:
In the first period on Friday, the Magicians got off to a hot start against the Austin Bruins. Matt Colford got the scoring started on a goal assisted byDenis Shevyrin. Next, it was Kildeer, Illinois native Kane Durment scoring (Assisted by Sam Becker & Marc Michaelis) to increase the Magicians lead to 2-0.
In the 2nd period, Luki Laub hit the back of the net (Assisted by Becker) to make it 3-0, seemingly putting the Magicians in the driver's seat. Austin, last year's Robertson Cup runners up, is always a dangerous team, however, and the Bruins showed their ability to score quickly on Friday. Following Laub's goal, Austin scored four unanswered goals to finish the 2nd period.
In the third, the Bruins added 3 more goals and walked away with a 7-3 victory over the Magicians. Goaltender Cole Weaver started the game for the Magicians, but was replaced by Chris Amsden after the 2nd period.
Sunday:
Final Score: Magicians 4 - Wilderness 3
Star of the Game: Chris Amsden - The veteran goaltender made 39 saves in regulation, and stopped 4 of 5 Wilderness shooters to preserve his team's victory.
Venue: Richfield Ice Arena
Attendance: 510
Game Summary:
The Magicians entered the game on Sunday looking to atone for the Friday evening collapse in front of their home crowd. The Wilderness had other thoughts, however, and scored jumped out to a 3-0 lead through a period and a half. Desperately needing a spark, the Magicians got one in the form of rookie forward Nathan Krusko, who capitalized on a breakaway chance, scoring a goal assisted by Kris McKinzie) to cut the Wilderness lead to two. The game entered the 3rd period 3-1 in favor of Cloquet.
Early in the 3rd, Rosenheim, Germany native Luki Laub cut further into the Wilderness lead with a goal assisted by Matt Colford and Ryan Solomon. Then, with about 5-minutes left in regulation, Jack Christensen tied the game on a goal assisted by Kane Durment and Sam Becker. The period would end in a tie and neither team was able to score in overtime either.
In the shootout, the Wilderness struck first but the Magicians were aided by goals from Kane Durment and Brady Jones. Goaltender Chris Amsden stopped four of five Wilderness shooters, and the Magicians walked away from the shootout victorious. Amsden was phenomenal down the stretch, making 39 saves in regulation and overtime to keep the Magicians in the game.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2014
- Monday Roundup - Bobcats' Second-Annual Teddy Bear Toss Is Saturday - Bismarck Bobcats
- Topeka Toppled In Shootout - Topeka Pilots
- Oscar Odd Ground Round Player of the Week - Brookings Blizzard
- Reisinger Receives South Division Star of the Week Honors - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- NAHL Announces Divisional Stars of the Week - NAHL
- IceRays Tender Defenseman Michael Bevilacqua - Corpus Christi IceRays
- IceRays Weekly - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Minnesota Magicians Weekly - Minnesota Magicians
- Wilderness Lose Second Straight Shootout - Minnesota Wilderness
- Wilderness Lose in a Shootout in Austin - Minnesota Wilderness
- Runners Blank Jr. Blues, 4-0 - Topeka Pilots
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