(WAUSAU, WI)- Kicking off 2019 at home, the Wausau RiverWolves face the Willmar WarHawks in a two-game home series beginning tonight at 7:30pm from Marathon Park Ice Arena. Last time the two teams met in November, the RiverWolves split the series.  In the Central Division, the RiverWolves hold a 9-18-1 record.  Meanwhile in the West Division, the WarHawks have a 6-22-2 record.

What to Watch For

Wausau welcomes back forward Janne Rukamp for the first home game of 2019.  In the RiverWolves inaugural season, Rukamp finished in the top-10 with a 10th-place finish in points.  He scored 9 nine goals and 10 assists for a total of 19 points.

 Tanner Eskro’s game continues to grow as he had an impressive performance at the NA3HL showcase by scoring three goals in three games.  In the final game against the Breezy North Point Stars, Eskro sniped a goal on the top shelf of goalie Dan Fielding at an impossible angle.  He also scored the game winner in the shutout against the Long Beach Sharks.

For the WarHawks, Elijah Slagter is their top point getter for the team.  This season, he’s scored 14 goals and 11 assists for 25 points.  He averages .83 points per a game.

In the Crease

Krasnoobsk Russia native, Alex Gilev will be expected to start in net.  He comes in with a 6-13-1 record, a goals against average of 3.93 and a save percentage of .902.  He had a solid weekend at the 2018 NA3Hl Showcase in front of college scouts and NAHL teams.  Gilev recorded his first career shutout against the Long Beach Sharks on December 17th.

Stamford, Connecticut (Home of a Dunder Mifflin Paper Company branch)  native Lucas Ehrlich is expected to start for the WarHawks.  He had a solid weekend at the Showcase, he complied a 2-0 record, while only allowing one goal both games.  With the WarHawks, he’s complied a 5-10-2 record.  He also holds a goals against average of 4.64 and save percentage of .885.

Up next

The Wausau RiverWolves will complete this weekend series versus Willmar tomorrow night at 7:30pm on Youth Hockey night presented by Sam’s Pizza. All Youth Hockey players receive a FREE ticket to the game by wearing their youth jersey. For more information, visit RiverWolvesHockey.com.