Minnesota Magicians Weekly
January 26, 2015 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Minnesota Magicians News Release
Current Record: 15-26-0
Points: 30 - 4th in Midwest Division
Player of the Week: Brady Heppner (Below) - The rookie forward from Crookston, Minnesota had a goal and two assists this weekend. His point totals this year include 6 goals and 6 assists in 39 games played.
Assists: Sam Becker (27)
Points: Sam Becker (30)
Plus/Minus: Thomas Delaney (+7)
Wins: Vaughan Ahrens (7)
GAA: Vaughan Ahrens (3.48)
SV%: Vaughan Ahrens (.903)
Midwest Division Standings
MN Wilderness 41 27 10 4 58 .707 140 95 801 17-4-0 10-6-4
Fairbanks 41 26 12 3 55 .671 161 116 689 14-4-1 12-8-2
Coulee Region 40 21 13 6 48 .600 120 108 596 12-6-4 9-7-2
MN Magicians 41 15 26 0 30 .366 108 150 626 9-11-0 6-15-0
Kenai River 41 13 26 2 28 .341 96 164 660 8-11-0 5-15-2
Weekend Recap:
The Magicians made the 9-hour trip to North Dakota this weekend to face off against the Minot Minotauros, who currently sit atop the Central Division of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). Goals were plentiful in both games, and the Magicians showed a renewed offensive spark that had been missing since they early weeks of the season.
On Friday, the teams traded goals until the Minotauros were eventually able to pull away from the Magicians late in the game and win it running away. The tables were turned, however, on Saturday when the Magicians continued to put the puck in the net while limiting Minot to only two goals behind the strong play of goaltender Vaughan Ahrens. The victory was another important step for the team who is still alive in the playoff race and looking to improve on the back half of this season. Up next for the Magicians is a Home & Home series vs. the Austin Bruins. On January 30th the teams will face off at Riverside Arena in Austin, and Saturday January 31st will be a 7:05 PM rematch at Richfield Arena.
Friday:
Final Score: Magicians 5 - Minot 8
Star of the Game: Nathan Krusko - The Alpharetta, Georgia native had an early goal and added an assist in the game. His 11 goals this season rank first among Magicians rookies this year.
Venue: Maysa Arena - Minot, ND
Game Recap:
The Magicians started their only trip to Minot this season on the right track with a late 1st period goal by Nathan Krusko, giving the team a lead heading into the first intermission on Friday night. From there, the teams traded goals through the 2nd period until the Minotauros were able to take their first lead of the game on a powerplay goal with just over a minute to play in the period. In the 3rd, Minot was able to pull away even more despite Magicians goals by Curtis Simonson and Kris McKinzie.
Scoring Summary:
1st Period:
Magicians - Nathan Krusko (Shorthanded) (Sam Becker) - 17:40
2nd Period:
Minot - Jon Lizotte (Nick Minfils, Colton Kramer) - 0:26
Magicians - Nolan Schaeffer (Nathan Krusko, Connor Bucsis) - 2:04
Minot - Jon Lizotte (Unassisted) - 6:41
Magicians - Brady Heppner (Unassisted) - 6:41
Minot - Johnny Walker (Blake Lizotte, Tanner Holmes) - 8:43
Miont - Blake Lizotte (Powerplay)(Jon Lizotte, Jacob Dittel) - 18:56
3rd Period:
Minot - Jacob Howie (Max Mettler) - 1:52
Magicians - Curtis Simonson (Connor Bucsis) - 2:41
Minot - James Mathias (Colton Kramer, Jon Lizotte) - 3:09
Minot - Colton Kramer (James Mathias, Rasmus Sorgardt) 5:39
Minot - Casey Johnson (Chase Springman, Tim Athley) - 16:36
Magicians - Kris McKinzie (Brady Heppner) - 17:07
Goaltenders:
Magicians - Vaughan Ahrens (20 Saves on 25 Shots), Cole Weaver (9 Saves on 12 Shots)
Minot - Tanner Holmes (29 Saves on 34 Shots)
Saturday:
Final Score: Magicians 4 - Minot 2
Star of the Game: Vaughan Ahrens - The rookie goaltender made 42 saves to record his first victory since returning from long term injury reserved.
Venue: Maysa Arena - Minot, ND
Game Recap:
The Magicians got off to another good start on Saturday, capitalizing on a 1st period powerplay on a goal from Connor Bucsis. Sam Becker tallied another Magicians goal just over a minute later and the Red & Black took a two goal lead into the first intermission. In the 2nd, Lukas Laub put the Magicians up by 3 before Minot was finally able to register a goal. In the third, the Minotauros were able to score once again to get within one, but rookie forward Kane Durment answered to put the Magicians up for good. Vaughan Ahrens responded to a tough Friday evening game with a great performance on Saturday, stopping 42 or 44 shots faced. The end result of the game was an important victory for the Magicians who are still fighting for a spot in the postseason.
Scoring Summary:
1st Period:
Magicians - Connor Bucsis (Powerplay)(Sam Becker, Nolan Schaeffer) - 10:13
Magicians - Sam Becker (Brady Heppner) - 11:20
2nd Period:
Magicians - Lukas Laub (Taylor Brierley) - 2:30
Minot - Casey Johnson (Jacob Howie, Rasmus Sorgardt) - 6:35
3rd Period:
Minot - Jacob Howie (Powerplay)(Rasmus Sorgardt, Troy Degler) - 7:06
Magicians - Kane Durment (Nikita Milekhin, Nolan Schaeffer) - 8:53
Goaltenders:
Magicians - Vaughan Ahrens (42 Saves on 44 Shots)
Minot - Atte Tolvanen (18 Saves on 22 Shots)
Up Next:
Friday January 30th - 7:05 PM @ Austin
Saturday January 31st - 7:05 PM @ Richfield Arena vs. Austin
Worth Noting:
The Magicians recently acquired a Russian forward with experience playing Major Junior Hockey in Canada. Nikita Milekhin, A Krasnogorsk, Russia native, comes to the Magicians after starting the season with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He had an assist this weekend to register his first point in the North American Hockey League (NAHL), and will be expected to continue contributing offensively for the Magicians.
The Magicians will be hosting their 2nd Annual Pucks for Paws promotion on Saturday January 31st at Richfield Ice Arena. The event benefits Secondhand Hounds animal shelter, and the organization will be featuring some its animals that are currently up for adoption!
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