
Wilderness to Meet 2 Midwest Division Rivals in 2nd Weekend
September 19, 2024 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Minnesota Wilderness News Release
The Minnesota Wilderness seek to build upon a very successful opening weekend by taking on the Wisconsin Windigo and Chippewa Steel in a set of games this Friday and Saturday.
The Wilderness host the Windigo Friday at Northwoods Credit Union Arena in Cloquet, and will go on the road for the first this season Saturday to meet the Chippewa Steel.
Minnesota goes into the weekend with a 2-0 record after sweeping a home series vs. the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, winning Friday 3-2 in a shootout and Saturday in regulation 4-2. By winning its first two games, the Wilderness has tied the 2014-15 team for the best start in franchise history.
The Windigo and Steel went head-to-head last weekend with Wisconsin coming out on top in both meetings. On Friday, Wisconsin skated off with a 5-3 victory and followed with a 3-2 overtime win Saturday, with both games played at the Windigo home in Eagle River, WI.
Wisconsin relied on solid goaltending and a strong PK in its weekend sweep. The Windigo kept Chippewa scoreless on the power play, killing off all eight of the Steel's opportunities. Meanwhile goaltender Lucas Szyszka earned victories in both outings.
The Wilderness saw rookie Frantisek Netusil score clutch goals in both games vs. Fairbanks-a tying goal Friday and the game's first tally Saturday. Avery Anderson and Ben Roulette also finished the series vs. Fairbanks with multiple points, Roulette finished with a goal and assist, while Anderson posted three assists.
Forward Aidan Willis and defenseman Wyatt Kerr lead Chippewa in scoring with each recording two points (one goal, one assist).
Friday's game vs. Wisconsin has puck drop at 7:15 p.m., while Friday's event in Chippewa Falls, WI, begins at 6:00 p.m.
Midwest Division standings:
Place Team Games played Points This week's opponent
1 Wilderness 2 4 1 vs. Wisconsin, 1 @ Chippewa
1 Kenai River 2 4 1 @ Chippewa, 1 @ Springfield
1 Wisconsin 2 4 1 @ Wilderness, 1 vs. Fairbanks
4 Chippewa 2 1 1 vs. Kenai River, 1 vs. Wilderness
4 Fairbanks 2 1 1 @ Janesville, 1 @ Wisconsin
6 Anchorage 0 0 1 @ Springfield, 1 @ Janesville
6 Springfield 0 0 1 vs. Anchorage, 1 vs. Kenai River
8 Janesville 2 0 1 vs. Fairbanks, 1 vs. Anchorage
• Discuss this story on the North American Hockey League message board...
North American Hockey League Stories from September 19, 2024
- Weekend Preview 9/20-9/22 - New Mexico Ice Wolves
- Hat Tricks Sign Forward, Niko Tournas Ahead of Weekend Versus Maryland - Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks
- Wilderness to Meet 2 Midwest Division Rivals in 2nd Weekend - Minnesota Wilderness
- Weekend Preview Versus Maryland - Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks
- Weekend Preview vs Maine - New Jersey Titans
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Minnesota Wilderness Stories
- Final Trip to Janesville Kicks off Two Week Road Swing
- Wilderness Force Split in Windigo Series After Record-Setting Goaltending Performance
- Home Stand to Close with Pair vs. Wisconsin
- Netusil Breaks 10-Year-Old Team Record in Weekend Split
- Wilderness Prepare for Season's Final Brown Bear Hunt

