WAUSAU, WI – Over the weekend the Cyclones played host to the St. Louis Jr. Blues for a two-game weekend series. The two games marked the final time the Cyclones and Jr. Blues met this year during the regular season. Wausau won the first game but dropped the second, resulting in a weekend split.
The first game of the weekend was a close one, packed with action and excitement from start to finish. Both teams played efficient hockey and scored at opportune moments. The Jr. Blues struck first early, and Elijah Von Gunten answered to tie the game for Wausau just 10 seconds into the second period. The Jr. Blues bounced back with a goal three minutes later, which would be the only other goal of the second period.
In the third, Maksim Salienko scored on the power play to tie the game at two. The Cyclones then took their first lead of the game with only a minute left to play on a goal from forward Eiji Hofmann. Hofmann was involved in all three goals Friday night and recorded a team-high three points in the Cyclones’ win.
In net for Wausau was Tanner Bonjernoor, who recorded 22 saves on 24 shots on goal.
In the final game of the season between the Cyclones and the Jr. Blues, there was also one final playoff spot available in the Central Division for the Jr. Blues to clinch — all they had to do was win.
They got off to a strong start, scoring two unanswered goals in the first 10 minutes of the game. In a tough position early, Wausau bounced back with two goals late in the first period — one on the power play from Jackson Schroeder and the other from Elijah Von Gunten on a breakaway.
After neither team scored in the second, the Jr. Blues regained momentum in the third with an even-strength goal five minutes in, a late power-play goal and an empty-netter to secure their spot in the Fraser Cup playoffs.
In net for the Cyclones on Saturday was Brady Faille, who recorded 31 saves on 35 shots faced.
The Cyclones will face the West Bend Power this coming weekend, first Friday at Marathon Park in Wausau, then Saturday on the road at the Kettle Moraine Ice Center. Friday’s game at Marathon Park will start at 7:10 p.m and Saturday’s game will start at 7:30 p.m. and can be streamed on NATV.
