Win Streak Hits 10 Games in Another Shutout Win Over Steel
October 29, 2023 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Minnesota Wilderness News Release
History was made in multiple ways Saturday night, as the Minnesota Wilderness completed its second consecutive weekend sweep of a home-and-home series.
In the first North American Hockey League game played on Minnesota's Iron Range, Nick Erickson made 33 saves and posted his second shutout in as many starts this season for a 2-0 win over the Chippewa Steel.
The win extends the Wilderness' winning streak to 10 games, tying a franchise record, set in 2013-14, and set a new mark with 11 straight contests without a regulation loss. It also completes Minnesota's October schedule with an 8-0 record, the first time ever the Wilderness finished an entire month undefeated.
In addition, Erickson's shutout tied a team record for the best 2-game start to a season for a goaltender. The veteran from Apple Valley, MN, matched Ryan Anderson's performance from 2014-15 when Anderson kept opposing teams scoreless in his first two games.
Joe Cesario and Ashton Dahms scored single goals Saturday night to lead the Wilderness offensively.
Cesario's tally came at the end of a first period in which Minnesota dominated in shots on goal, 13-2. The Wilderness had multiple chances snuffed out by Chippewa netminder Ajay White who finished the game with 35 saves. Cesario finally beat the rookie goaltender on a sharp angle shot from the left boards. Luca Ricciardi and Nash Jacobsma assisted on the goal, which Jacobsma helped set up thanks to a long outlet pass that caught Cesario at center ice. The goal came with only three seconds left in the opening period and was Cesario's second of the season.
Dahms notched his 11th of the season when he converted on a 2-on-1 with Peteris Purmalis. Nolan Bettens also assisted on the marker which came with 3:44 remaining in the second period.
Erickson played mostly untested through the first two frames of the game. Chippewa turned up the intensity in the latter stages of the third when three penalties were called on the Wilderness over the period's final 3:57. First, a double-minor for high-sticking was assessed on Harper Searles, and then with 39 seconds left, Cesario was sent to the box for slashing. The Steel also pulled White for an extra attacker for a 6-on-4 and later a 6-on-3 advantage and ended the final frame with 21 shots on goal. Yet, nothing ended up past Erickson, as his record improved to 2-0 on the campaign.
The Wilderness penalty kill also staved off two other Steel power plays, finishing the game perfect at 5-for-5.
On the downside, Minnesota could not extend its streak of games with multiple power play goals, as it failed to convert on four opportunities. That run of PPGs began in Anchorage on Oct. 14, and over four games, the Wilderness scored nine goals on 17 chances for a 52.9% success rate.
The Wilderness has a chance to set a new franchise winning streak record Friday night, when it begins a two-game series vs. St. Cloud. This will be another home-and-home set with the first game in St. Cloud, while the Wilderness will host the Norsemen in Cloquet at Northwoods Credit Union Arena, Saturday night.
North American Hockey League Stories from October 29, 2023
- Anchorage Wolverines Fall in Final Game - Anchorage Wolverines
- Win Streak Hits 10 Games in Another Shutout Win Over Steel - Minnesota Wilderness
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- Costumes Get in Free: Anchorage Wolverines vs. Wisconsin Windigo - Anchorage Wolverines
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- Sutton Scores Twice, Warriors Defeat Amarillo - Oklahoma Warriors
- Former Jr. Blues Goalie Cooley Called up to the NHL - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Despite a Hard Fought Game Two, St Cloud Is Swept by North Iowa - St. Cloud Norsemen
- Your Anchorage Wolverines WIN AGAIN - Anchorage Wolverines
- Titans Right the Ship, Defeat Johnstown 5-2 - New Jersey Titans
- Jackalopes Up 2-1 Over Rhinos In Game #1 - El Paso Rhinos
- Weekend Recap 10-28-23 - Minot Minotauros
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