(Wausau, WI) –The Wausau Cyclones began their quest for the Fraser Cup by facing the Wisconsin Woodmen in a best of 3 playoff series over the weekend. Wausau won 3-2 at Marathon Park on Friday Night and 5-3 on Saturday night in Tomah to complete the series sweep. Wausau will face West Bend in the Fraser Cup Division Finals. The Cyclones will host game 1 on Friday, March 15th at Marathon Park and game 3 if necessary, on Sunday, March 17th at 6:10pm.
After a scoreless first period on Friday night Wausau got on the board first at 36 seconds of the second period when forward Anderson Brien netted his 24th goal of the season. The goal was assisted by Isaac Baker and Matthew Mahoney. Wisconsin got the game back to even on a power play goal from Woodmen forward Brayden Buckingham at 15:29 of the second. Heading into the final 20 minutes the game was tied at one.
Wausau would take the lead on a beautiful individual effort from forward Dylan Chapman along the boards. Isaac Baker made it a two-goal lead with his 7th goal of the season at 7:18 of the third period. Wisconsin would make things interesting after they received the benefit of a controversial goal call after hitting the crossbar. The goal was credited to Hunter Nelson. Wausau would hold on in the final ten minutes to give Wausau the game 1 win in front of a sold-out Marathon Park crowd. Collin Lemanski earned the win in net after stopping 39 of 41 shots.
Saturday night Wausau would hit the road looking to sweep Wisconsin in the best of three series and avoid a game three. The good guys got the board first at 11:35 of the first period as Antonio Gomez scored his 18th of the season. It was assisted by forward John Kriz. Wausau added to the lead in the second period after Easton Plachetka notched his 9th of the season on an assist from Ricky Nelson and Matthew Mahoney. Wisconsin would then get their first of the evening on a goal from Nolan Mix. That would be a close as Wisconsin would get the rest of the way as Wausau would cruise the rest of the way. Wausau would add goals from Dominick Bourdon, Matthew Mahoney and Adam Wiggins to help eliminate the Woodsmen from postseason play. Collin Lemanski earned the win in net by stopping 40 of 43 shots.
The Wausau Cyclones quest for a championship continues this weekend. Wausau will host game 1 of the best of three Division Finals playoff series on Friday, March 15th at 7:10pm and game 3 if necessary, on Sunday, March 17th at 6:10pm. The first 500 fans Friday receive a Cyclones playoff rally towel presented by Lake of the Torches Resort Casino! Visit wausaucyclones.com for tickets.
The Cyclones are members of the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL), one of three USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III Junior leagues, serves as one of the top training grounds in the country by providing the best coaching, exposure and developmental vehicles available for student-athletes in its classification. The primary mission of the NA3HL is to provide a structured developmental environment for student-athletes who have aspirations of playing in the NAHL or United States Hockey League and eventually the NCAA or American College Hockey Association. For more information, visit wausaucyclones.com
