Minnesota Magicians Weekly
December 26, 2014 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Minnesota Magicians News Release
The Magicians concluded their final week of play before the holiday break with a home & home series against the Austin Bruins. On Friday night, an injury-riddled Magicians team traveled to Riverside Arena to play the Bruins and was defeated soundly in front of a hostile road crowd. On Saturday, the teams faced off in a rematch at Richfield Arena where the potent Austin offense once again proved to be too much for the Magicians to handle.
The top story of the weekend, however, had very little to do with hockey. On Saturday, the Magicians hosted their 2nd annual Teddy Toss benefiting Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. After the Magicians scored their first goal of the game against the Bruins, fans showered the ice with teddy bears and other stuffed animals, which were donated to the hospitals on Monday morning. In total 270 stuffed animals were collected and donated to the hospital, which exceeds the total amount of donations from the 1st Teddy Toss in December of 2013. The Magicians want to express their sincerest thanks to all those who participated and donated to help make the event a success.
Friday
Final Score: Magicians 1 - Austin 6
Star of the Game: Lukas Laub - The Rosenheim, Germany native added his team leading 14th goal of the season.
Venue: Riverside Arena - Austin, MN
Game Summary:
The Magicians made the trip to Riverside Arena in Austin, Minnesota on Friday night with the hopes of ending their struggles against the rival Bruins.
The Bruins had other plans, however, and jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Ian Scheid and Josh Wilkins. The Magicians answered back before the intermission when Lukas Laub scored a goal assisted by Matt Colford and Thomas Delaney, but that would be the last of the scoring for the Red & Black.
In the 2nd period, Austin added two more goals and then followed up with an additional two goals in the third to coast to a 6-1 victory over the slumping Magicians. Goaltender Chris Amsden made 19 saves on 25 shots while taking the loss.
Saturday:
Final Score: Magicians 1 - Austin 4
Star of the Game: Thomas Delaney - The captain scored the Magicians lone goal of the game.
Venue: Richfield Ice Arena
Attendance: 986
Game Summary:
Saturday's contest at Richfield Arena was also the Magicians' 2nd Annual Teddy Toss for Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. Following the Magicians' first goal of the evening, fans were invited to throw teddy bears and other stuffed animals onto the ice as donations to the local Children's Hospital.
In the first period, the Bruins jumped out to an early lead on a goal from former Magician Tony Uglem. Later in the first, Austin increased their lead to 2 on a goal by Luke Dietsch. Unable to solve goaltender Evan Smith, the Magicians were held scoreless in the first period and the fans would have to wait to toss their teddy bears.
In the 2nd period, the Bruins scored once more time to increase their lead to 3-0. As the seconds ticked away without a Magicians goal, anticipation and anxiety starting to make its way through the crowd. Finally, Thomas Delaney ended the suspense on a goal assisted by Lukas Laub. Teddy bears and stuffed animals rained onto the ice and the game was delayed briefly as Magicians players and staff worked to clear the debris from the ice.
Unfortunately, the spectacle of the Teddy Toss was the last thing for the home crowd to get excited about as the Bruins added a third period goal to squash the Magicians hopes of a comeback. The final score Austin 4, Magicians 1. Taking the loss was goaltender Cole Weaver, who made 24 saves on 28 shots.
UP NEXT:
Wednesday December 31st @ Cloquet Wilderness - 5:00 PM
Sunday January 4th vs. Wilderness @ Richfield Arena - 6:00 PM
Vaughan Ahrens (pictured Above) assisted Magicians staff members in delivering 270 stuffed animals to the Minneapolis campus of Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota on Monday December 22nd.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 26, 2014
- Minnesota Magicians Weekly - Minnesota Magicians
- IceRays Return from Holiday Break this Saturday - Corpus Christi IceRays
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