WAUSAU, WI — The Cyclones just wrapped up a two-game Central Division series against the Peoria Mustangs, taking home comfortable wins in both contests. Heading into the weekend, the Cyclones held a 3-1 edge in the season series, having won two games at home and splitting a prior weekend series back in November. The two wins pushed the Cyclones to 5-1 in the season series, with an 18-12-1-0 overall record.
Game 1: Friday, Jan. 9
In the first of the two games, Wausau set the tone early with an opening goal just 22 seconds in. A Jackson-to-Jackson connection gave Jackson Schroeder his 16th goal of the season and Jackson Maddock his 17th assist. Peoria answered with back-to-back goals to take its first lead of the game, but it was short-lived.
Trailing by one goal midway through the second period, Wausau scored six unanswered goals over the remainder of the game to secure a 7-2 win in Game 1. The six goals came from Schroeder (2), Brady Knutsen (2), Jackson Maddock and Joel Anderson. Eleven different Cyclones players recorded a point in the game, and four recorded multi-point performances. Schroeder recorded his first career hat trick, which also marked the Cyclones’ first hat trick of the season.
Game 2: Saturday, Jan. 10
After a five-goal win on Friday, the Cyclones carried their momentum into Saturday to earn a second win over the Peoria Mustangs. Peoria scored first and held the lead throughout the opening period, but costly penalties in the second led to back-to-back power-play goals for Wausau from Joel Anderson and Jackson Maddock.
Peoria tied the game at two goals early in the third period, but Mario Savino and Alec Mellon scored the third and fourth goals for Wausau to secure the weekend series sweep.
Standings Update
After the weekend, the Cyclones have played 31 of their 46 games this season. They currently sit in third place in the Central Division with an 18-12-1 record and 37 points. Wausau holds an identical record to the Rochester Grizzlies, who occupy second place in the division, and the season series between the two teams is tied 2-2.
Up Next
The Cyclones play a single road game against the first-place West Bend Power on Friday, Jan. 16, before returning home to Marathon Park Ice Arena on Saturday, Jan. 17, to face the Wisconsin Woodsmen. Saturday also marks the first Corgi Race of the season at Marathon Park. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. CST. Tickets can be purchased at wausaucyclones.com.
