Windigo keep wailing on Wilderness

After four straight games against the Wisconsin Windigo, the Minnesota Wilderness are still looking for their first victory of the season against their rivals from across the border. The Windigo swept a weekend series last week in Cloquet, a week after winning both games at their home in Eagle River.

The Wilderness scored a first period goal Friday night, but after that, the game belonged to the Windigo in a 5-1 final.

Zach Homer scored the lone Minnesota goal with 9:01 remaining in the first after a turnover was

forced in the offensive zone. Noah Dziver and Jakeb Lynch assisted on Homer’s seventh of the season.

Wisconsin responded with five goals from five different players. Jordan Brothers tied the game later in the first. Elliott Gulley and Lucas Busch added two more in the second to make it 3-1. In the third, Luke Baker added an empty net goal before Michael Maillette completed the scoring with 1:21 left.

The Windigo outshot the Wilderness, 32-27. Nick Erickson took the loss for Minnesota, making 27 saves. Lucas Szyszka earned the win with 26 stops for Wisconsin.

The Wilderness came back from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits Saturday, but the Windigo secured the win by dominating the third period for a 7-3 final score.

Wisconsin outshot the Wilderness, 39-20, which included a 19-6 advantage in the third.

Along with scoring two short-handed goals, the Windigo (17-2-3) also collected two power play goals on six chances. The Wilderness (8-12-3) finished 1-for-5 on power plays.

The two squads were scheduled to meet for a fifth-consecutive game Wednesday in Cloquet’s Northwoods Credit Union Arena at 7:15 p.m., after the Pine Knot went to press.