(WAUSAU, WI)- Wausau heads into the final weekend of the regular season with an opportunity to win back-to-back Central Division titles, but will need some help from the Wisconsin Woodsmen. Wausau will need Wisconsin to beat West Bend Friday at Tomah Ice Center and the Cyclones will need to win Friday versus Rochester and Saturday versus West Bend. Should Wausau and West Bend both finish with 71 total points the Cyclones will win the division since Wausau would have 34 wins and West Bend would only have 33 wins on the season. If Wausau wins the Central Division title the Cyclones would then take on the Wisconsin Woodsmen in the Division Semifinal round of the Fraser Cup Playoffs. If the Cyclones don’t win the division the Rochester Grizzlies will be the Division Semifinal round opponent.
Wausau 32-10-2-1 (67 points) will play host to the Rochester Grizzlies 28-12-3-2 (61 points) on Friday and then West Bend 33-8-2-2 (70 points) Saturday night. Wausau leads the season series with Rochester four games to three and trails the season series with West Bend four games to three. Since January 4th the Cyclones have a 4-0 combined record versus Rochester and West Bend.
Player to Watch
Cyclones forward Connor Dvorak had himself a heck of February. In seven games Dvorak scored 5 goals and contributed 5 assists. Dvorak is tied for 2nd on the team in goals (23) and 4th in assists with (26). Watch for the leadership of Dvorak and the other “04” players to play an impactful role this weekend in critical moments.
Between the Pipes
Wausau is expected to start Tanner Bonjernoor in net this weekend. Bonjernoor has a 2.36 GAA and .920 save percentage in 26 games. Bonjernoor has the 3rd most wins in the league with 20 this season.
Up Next
Next weekend the Clones will open the Division Semifinal playoff series at Marathon Park Friday night versus Rochester or Wisconsin. The first 500 fans Friday, March 14th will receive a Cyclones Playoff Rally Towel presented by Lake of the Torches Resort Casino. Puck drops at 7:10pm. Game 2 of the series will be on road Saturday, March 15th. Game 3, *if necessary* will take place Sunday, March 16th at 6:10pm from Marathon Park. Doors will open one hour before puck drop for all playoff games. Visit wausaucyclones.com for tickets. Stay connected during the season by following the Cyclones @wausaucyclones on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and online at wausaucyclones.com. Subscribe to the Cyclones podcast “Inside Cyclones Hockey”, available on your favorite podcast network.
