Wilderness streak ends

The St. Cloud Norsemen swept the Wilderness last weekend in Cloquet, snapping a 10-game winning streak for the home team.

St. Cloud scored early and offered the Wilderness only limited chances Friday in a 4-0 victory.

The loss snapped Minnesota’s 10-game winning streak and run of 11 consecutive with a point — both of which tied franchise records.

St. Cloud notched another shutout on Saturday, 3-0. The Wilderness (11-4-2) applied more offensive zone pressure and generated more chances than Friday, but were stymied by a stingy St. Cloud (7-4-6) defense and timely saves by Norsemen netminder Ryan Manzella, who finished the game with 30 saves to post his second consecutive shutout.

Goalie Nick Erickson finished with 21 saves on 25 shots Friday and suffered his first loss of the season after shutout victories in his first two starts.

Saturday’s game was more physical, which led to a fight on the ice and 71 penalty minutes.

Both teams received five power plays. While St. Cloud scored on only one, its other two goals came shortly after penalty time expired.

In goal, Adam Prokop suffered his first loss of the season in four starts, stopping 23 of 26 shots. The Wilderness outshot the Norsemen, 30-26.

Minnesota will get a chance to recover this weekend in a pair of road games in Wisconsin against the Janesville Jets.

Cool skate

A group of preschoolers skated with Wilderness players on Oct. 30. About 40 4-year-olds from Cloquet’s Early Childhood Family Education program laced up with the Wilderness at Northwoods Credit Union Arena.

Wilderness owners Barry and Brenda Bohman were on hand to serve hot chocolate and loan skates to those who didn’t bring their own. Kids also received Wilderness T-shirts.