Cyclones split series with Oregon
(Wausau, WI) –The Wausau Cyclones took on the Oregon Tradesmen over the weekend as the Cyclones took on the first-place team in the Central Division. Wausau won 6-2 Friday night and lost 3-2 on Saturday in front of a sold-out Marathon Park Ice Arena crowd.
Friday night, Wausau got on the board first at 8:57 of the 1st period when Josh Christofferson netted his 5th goal of the season and his first versus his former team. The Cyclones extended the lead to 2-0 just 1:05 later as Brennan Valencia scored his second goal in the last three games. Oregon got on the scoreboard at 11:36 of the second, but Wausau answered right back with a goal from Ricky Nelson 1:26 later. The goal was assisted by Gabe Randel and Adam Napravnik. Oregon made it a one goal game with just 58 seconds remaining in the 2nd period.
Wausau took it to first-place Oregon in the final period as they netted goals from Adam Wiggins, Isaac Baker and an empty-net goal from Chase Chapman to close out at 6-2 win. The win for Wausau was their fifth in the last six games. Collin Lemanski picked up the win for Wausau after stopping 32 of 34 shots faced.
Saturday night’s game was a hard-fought Central Division battle. Oregon scored first at 5:55 of the first with a goal from Max McNeil. Cyclone forward Zac Maupin tied the game at two with his 7th goal of the season. The game remained tied at one until 2:54 of the 2nd. Dillion Schmidt netted his 2nd goal of the weekend on an assist from Dayne Deanovich. Oregon extended the lead eight minutes later to make it a 3-1 lead. Wausau answered back at 2:45 of the 3rd with a goal from Easton Plachetka. The Cyclones did have several chances to even the contest in the 3rd, but their best came when forward Gage Vierzba drew a penalty shot opportunity with under eight minutes remaining. Vierzba was unable to capitalize as his shot went just wide of the right goal post. Ryan Burke took the loss after stopping 38 of 41 shots.
Join us this weekend to get your free Cyclones Hockey Beanie and don’t forget to wear flannel on January 27th. Presented by Flannel Check & Genentech & Aspirus Health. Aspirus will be onsite scheduling Lung Cancer Screenings and education on the signs and symptoms of stroke, and don’t miss the “Los Ciclones” T-Shirt Giveaway on January 28th presented by La Taqueria. Puck drops at 7:10pm both nights. Buy tickets online via wausaucyclones.com. 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.
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.
******************************************************
Know some top athletic performances? Seeing some great teams in action?
We can use your help, and it’s simple. Witness some great performances? Hear about top athletes and top teams in our area?
Athlete of the Week and Team of the Week:
Nominate an athlete or team: HERE
**********************************************
Pancakes or Waffles! We feature top area athletes with our world-renowned feature. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
College Athlete Roundup! We want to recognize student-athletes from the area who are competing at the college level. Send us information on college athletes from the area with our simple form HERE
Where are they Now? We feature athletes and difference makers from the past, standouts in sports who excelled over the years and have moved on. Know of a former athlete, coach, or difference maker who we should feature? Know of a former standout competitor whose journey beyond central Wisconsin sports is one we should share? Send us information on athletes and difference makers of the past with our simple form HERE
Baked or Fried! We also feature difference makers throughout central Wisconsin: coaches, booster club leaders, administration, volunteers, you name it. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
We welcome your stories! Contact us at [email protected]!
Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
