(WAUSAU, WI)- The Cyclones begin their quest for the Fraser Cup by visiting the Rochester Grizzlies on Friday at 7:00pm in the Fraser Cup Division Semifinal round of playoffs and then return home for game two of the series on Saturday at 7:10pm. If necessary, game three will be back in Rochester on Sunday at 1:00pm. Wausau finished the regular season with a 27-19-1-0 record. The Grizzlies finished the regular season with a 29-17-1-0 record, finishing in 2nd place in the Central Division to earn home ice advantage in the series this weekend.
Head-to-head Wausau split the eight games Rochester during the regular season, but Rochester outscored the Clones 24 to 20. In five of the eight games the winning team won by three goals or more and the other three were all one goal games. Rochester won two of the three one goal games. Wausau won three of the first four matchups during the regular season that occurred before December 30th. Rochester then won three straight games in the season series before Wausau picked up a 5-2 win in Wausau on February 28th.
What to Watch For
Playoff games are often won by teams who execute in the critical special teams situations. During the regular season Wausau converted on 22.5% of their power plays (13th of 38 teams) and Rochester converted at 28.0% (7th of 38). On the penalty kill the Clones killed off 82.0% (17th of 38) and the Grizzlies killed 76.5% (26th of 38). Rochester earned 171 power play opportunities (8th) and Wausau had just 151 (20th) in the 47 regular season games.
Between the Pipes
Wausau is expected to start Brady Faille and Tanner Bonjernoor in net this weekend. Faille had a 2.66 GAA and .920 save percentage in 22 games. In five games against Rochester this season Faille had a 2.40 GAA. Bonjernoor had a 3.52 GAA and .898 save percentage in 18 games. In three games Bonjernoor had a 3.33 GAA versus the Grizzlies.
Rochester is expected to start Kyle Lappi in net. Lappi had a 2.70 GAA and .889 save percentage in 15 games played during the regular season.
Up Next
If Wausau wins two games versus Rochester, they will then play either the West Bend Power or St. Louis Jr. Blues next weekend in the Fraser Cup Division Finals. You can catch the games live on NAHLTV or listen to a live audio only broadcast via our YouTube channel with Clones Broadcaster Mark Robinson on the call. Buy tickets via wausaucyclones.com for game two of the Division Semifinal series Saturday, March 13th at Marathon Park. Doors open at 6:10pm and puck drops at 7:10pm.
