Minnesota Magicians Weekly
February 23, 2015 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Minnesota Magicians News Release
Current Record: 16-29-3
Points: 35 - 4th in Midwest Division
Player of the Week: Kris McKinzie - the veteran leader of the Magicians provided an emotional lift for his team with a momentum-swinging fight on Friday evening, and added two goals in one of his most productive weekends in the NAHL.
Team Leaders
Assists: Sam Becker (32)
Points: Sam Becker (38)
Plus/Minus: Thomas Delaney (+6)
Wins: Vaughan Ahrens (8)
GAA: Vaughan Ahrens (3.49)
SV%: Vaughan Ahrens (.902)
Midwest Division Standings
xMN Wilderness 48 32 10 6 70 .729 167 116 893 20-4-2 12-6-4
xFairbanks 50 33 14 3 69 .690 199 138 822 19-6-1 14-8-2
xCoulee Region 49 24 18 7 55 .561 142 139 735 14-8-4 10-10-3
MN Magicians 48 16 29 3 35 .365 123 182 819 9-13-1 7-16-2
Kenai River 50 14 34 2 30 .300 115 213 802 9-17-0 5-17-2
Weekend Recap:
The Magicians made a weekend trip to La Crosse, Wisconsin to face the Coulee Region Chill at Green Island Ice Arena on Friday and Saturday. It was an important weekend for the Magicians, who are trying to maintain their lead over the Kenai River Brown Bears in the Midwest Division standings.
On Friday, the Magicians showed resiliency and stole a point from the Chill. After jumping out to an early lead on a goal by Kris McKinzie, the Magicians surrendered 3 straight goals to fall behind 3-1 less than 5-minutes into the 2nd period. McKinzie then sparked his team once again, this time in the form of a fight with Charlie Parker of Coulee Region. Shortly thereafter, back-to-back powerplay goals by Connor Bucsis and Sam Becker knotted the score. A scoreless third period secured a much needed point for the Magicians, but the team was unable to get the 2nd available point after being held scoreless in overtime and the shootout.
On Saturday, the Magicians fell behind early and trailed the Chill heading into the first intermission. In the second period, Connor Bucsis and Kris McKinzie answered with two goals in the first 5 minutes of the period. Sam Becker added a goal early in the third, and Vaughan Ahrens was stellar the rest of the way to preserve the regulation victory. With the win, the Magicians took 3 of 4 possible points on the weekend and remained in the playoff picture with a now 5-point lead over Kenai River in the standings.
Friday:
Final Score: Magicians 3 - Coulee Region Chill 4 (Shootout)
Star of the Game: Kris McKinzie - The veteran forward and captain of the Magicians started the scoring for his team, and ignited a 2nd period rally when he dropped the gloves and decisively defeated Charlie Parker of the Chill in a fight.
Venue: Green Island Ice Arena - La Crosse, Wisconsin
Scoring Summary:
1st Period:
Magicians - Kris McKinzie (Austin Jackson, Jack Christensen) - 7:53
Coulee Region- Adam Lovick (short handed) ( Jackson Charlesworth, Brady Ferner ) - 17:54
2nd Period:
Coulee Region - Adam Lovick ( Kevin Shand ) - 1:10
Coulee Region - Charlie Parker ( Soren Colstrup, Ondrej Zehnal ) - 4:17
Magicians - Connor Bucsis (power play) ( Kane Durment, Nathan Krusko ) - 16:43
Magicians - Sam Becker (power play) ( Lukas Laub, Nolan Schaeffer ) - 17:12
3rd Period:
No Scoring
Overtime:
No Scoring
Shootout:
Magicians - 0 for 5
Coulee Region - 1 for 4 (Adam Lovick)
Goaltenders:
Magicians - Vaughan Ahrens (38 Saves on 41 Shots)
Chill - Adam Carlson (35 Saves on 38 Shots)
Saturday:
Final Score: Magicians 3 - Coulee Region Chill 2
Star of the Game: Connor Bucsis - the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native tied the score early in the 2nd period, and added an assist on Sam Becker's game winning goal in the 3rd.
Venue: Green Island Ice Arena - La Crosse, Wisconsin
Scoring Summary:
1st Period:
Coulee Region - Sean Lang ( Eddie Matsushima ) 16:32
2nd Period:
Magicians - Connor Bucsis ( Kane Durment ) 2:56
Magicians - Kris McKinzie (unassisted) 4:31
3rd Period:
Magicians - Sam Becker ( Connor Bucsis, Kane Durment ) 4:24
Coulee Region - Eddie Matsushima (extra attacker) ( Sean Lang ) 18:53
Goaltenders:
Magicians - Vaughan Ahrens (40 Saves on 42 Shots)
Coulee Region - Adam Carlson 30 Saves on 33 Shots)
Up Next:
Friday February 27th vs. Coulee Region Chill - 7:15 PM @ Richfield Ice Arena
Saturday February 28th vs. Coulee Region Chill - 7:05 PM @ Richfield Ice Arena
Worth Noting:
February 28th is the Minnesota Magicians' 1st annual military appreciation night featuring Defending the Blue Line (DTBL). The Magicians will wear camouflage jerseys for the event, which will be auctioned away to fans following the game with all proceeds benefiting DTBL. Equipment donations for DTBL are currently being accepted at Richfield Ice Arena, and will continue to be accepted through the month of February.
On February 28th, Defending the Blue Line will be raffling away an opportunity for a fan to walk away with $10,000! Raffle tickets will be sold through the first two periods of the game, and the winning fan will attempt a shot from center ice for the prize.
This week, there are 4 Magicians players suiting up at the North American Hockey League (NAHL) Top Prospects Tournament in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Sam Becker, Lukas Laub, and Vaughan Ahrens are suiting up for the Midwest Division team, while Nolan Schaeffer is representing the Magicians on the NAHL Selects roster.
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