Wiscconsin Windigo Weekly Update
December 19, 2022 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wisconsin Windigo News Release
Zach Cine (#4) and Chris Kernan (#11) of the Wisconsin Windigo kill a penalty
(Wisconsin Windigo)
Going into the weekend, the Windigo confronted a short bench as the result of injury, illness and Will Schumacher's call-up to the Waterloo Blackhawks of the United States Hockey League. Jacob McPartland was acquired from the Granite City Lumberjacks of the NA3HL to make his NAHL debut on Friday. The Anchorage Wolverines traveled 3.320 to make their first trip to the Dome to take on the Wisconsin Windigo in NAHL Midwest Division play. The Windigo now go on Christmas break and will return on December 26, to commence preparations for games versus the Kenai River Brown Bears on December 30-31.
Friday, December 16: Anchorage 2 at Wisconsin Windigo 5
The Windigo jumped out to a two- goal lead just 10 minutes into the first period. Paul Huglen commenced the scoring with his fifth goal of the year, assisted by Drew Fisher and Noah Pickart. Cam Boche also notched his fifth goal of the year putting the Windigo up 2-0 just 10 minutes into the game. Huglen and Cole Mickel were credited with the assists on Boche's goal. Anchorage answered at the 17:50 mark of the period but Chris Kernan's third goal (assisted by Fisher and Zach Cline) of the season just over a minute later put the Windigo up by 2 goals to close the first period. In a closely contested second period, Anchorage registered the only goal of the period to bring the score to 3-2 in favor of the Windigo. But that was as close as they would get during the evening. Defenseman Daniil Dolzhenko (from Boche and Levandowski) scored his second goal in as many games, to put the Windigo up 4-2 at the 2:49 mark of the third period.
Just a few minutes later, the Windigo's league leading penalty killing unit (at 89.3%) showed its offensive prowess when Ben Anderson stole the puck from the Anchorage goalie behind the net and fed it to Victor Widlund who buried his seventh goal of the season into an empty net. That was all for the scoring as Gavin Moffatt recorded his seventh win on the season with 24 saves in the contest . The Windigo placed 30 shots on Anchorage's net. "Given the injuries and illness we've experienced this week, I wasn't sure what to expect tonight. Our game was a little rough at times, but we found ways to score and played team defense," noted Windigo head coach Blake Hietala after the game. "Moffat was solid in net again tonight. I'm proud of the way the guys creating scoring chances and converted on them. Once again, our penalty killing unit was outstanding," continued Hietala.
Saturday, December 10: Anchorage 6 at Wisconsin Windigo 4
If the first period were any indication, Saturday's game seemed destined to go again in the Windigo's favor. Goals by Burfoot (assisted by Jacob McPartland and Boche), Anderson (Dolzhenko and Burfoot) and Levandowski (McPartland and Huglen) propelled the Windigo to a 3-1 lead after the first stanza. Anchorage responded just 9 seconds into the second period to close the Windigo lead to one. Everett Pietila scored his second of the year (from Cline and Mickel) at 14:09 of the period. From that point forward, the ice seemed to tilt in favor of Anchorage, as they tied the game with two goals near the end of the second period. Anchorage continued the onslaught with its third straight goal 2:24 into the third period. With an Anchorage player in the box and just under 2 minutes to go in the game, the Windigo pulled their goalie in favor of a sixth attacker, hoping to tie the game and force overtime. Anchorage had other plans as they scored an empty net goal to seal defeat for the Windigo. Max Beckford, in his first start in several weeks since suffering a lower body injury, had 37 saves on 42 shots faced.
The Windigo placed 34 shots on the Anchorage netminder.
Up Next: December 30 and 31- The Kenai River Brown Bears Visit the Dome The Windigo will host another Midwest Division rival from Alaska as the Kenai River Brown Bears will ring in the new year at the Dome on December 30 and 31. Puck drop is at 7pm both nights. Tickets are available online at www.wisconsinjuniorhockey.com/tickets or at the door. Limited reserve section access is available for $15 and general admission is $10.
Images from this story
 Wisconsin Windigo goaltender Gavin Moffat and Paul Huglen defend the net |
 Zach Cine (#4) and Chris Kernan (#11) of the Wisconsin Windigo kill a penalty |
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