Wausau, WI – This past weekend, the Cyclones traveled to Rochester, Minnesota, to face the Grizzlies in a two-game series. Going into the weekend, the Cyclones had an opportunity to clinch a playoff berth for the 2025-26 Fraser Cup playoffs with wins over Rochester. In two close games, the Cyclones were unable to come away with wins in either, dropping their record to 21-15-1-0 and 43 points.
The first game of the weekend was tilted heavily in favor of the home team, the Rochester Grizzlies. Rochester scored two goals in the first period and two more in the second. After a lone power-play goal from Maksim Salienko cut the lead to one, Rochester responded with three unanswered goals in the third to take a commanding 5-1 win over Wausau.
Rochester recorded 55 shots on goal, while Wausau finished with just 19. Tanner Bonjernoor got the start in net for the Cyclones and stopped 50 of 55 shots, posting a .909 save percentage.
In a much closer contest, the Cyclones looked to split the series after a tough loss in Game 1. Home ice and the home crowd gave Rochester the edge in Game 2, as the Grizzlies completed the weekend sweep.
The game remained tied for the majority of the third period after a lone goal in the first from Rochester and an equalizer from Sean Hall in the second. Halfway through the third, Rochester scored to take a 2-1 lead, and a power-play goal three minutes later extended the advantage to 3-1. Jackson Schroeder scored with just over two minutes remaining and the goalie pulled to cut the deficit to one, but the Cyclones were unable to complete the comeback.
Brady Faille got the start in net for Wausau and once again turned in an impressive performance despite the loss. He faced 66 shots on goal and made 63 saves, good for a .955 save percentage.
The Cyclones return home to Marathon Park Ice Arena this weekend to play host to the Minnesota Wilderness of the West Division. Wausau now sits in 2nd place in the Central Division in a deadlock tie with the Rochester Grizzlies. Ten games remain in the regular season for the Cyclones, nine of which will be played on home ice.
