Cyclones clinch Central Division
(Wausau, WI) –The Wausau Cyclones hit the road this weekend looking to clinch the Central Division. Wausau took on the Wisconsin Woodsmen Friday night and West Bend Power on Saturday night. Wausau won 3-1 Friday and won 6-3 on Saturday to move their season record to 34-10-0-1. The victory on Saturday night not only clinched the Central Division title, but also gave Wausau home ice advantage throughout the NA3HL playoffs.
Friday night’s contest saw Wausau get on the board first at 5:54 of the 1st period when trade deadline acquisition Matthew Mahoney netted his 13th goal of the season. Wausau took a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. The second period saw Wausau extend their lead with goals from forwards Anderson Brien and Ricky Nelson. Wausau would cruise the rest of the way and only allowed a late goal after the Woodsmen pulled their goalies for an extra skater. Collin Lemanski was solid in net stopping 34 of 35 shots.
Saturday night Wausau hit pay dirt first with a snipe from defenseman Jack Dawley at 5:40 of the first period. West Bend would answer back less than two minutes later when Tommy Kundinger found the back of the net. Starting the second period on the power play Wausau went to work as Connor Dvorak scored his team leading 26th goal of the season. Three minutes later Dvorak was set up beautifully in front by Jack Dawley and Adam Wiggins to extend the lead to 3-1. West Bend wouldn’t go away quietly as Bryce Garber scored his 26th of the season two minutes later. The Clones answered back again as Adam Wiggins powered one home on a breakaway to make it 4-2 good guys. Wausau would control the final frame and get goals from Ricky Nelson and Mario Savino to close out the first division title in team history. Tanner Bonjernoor earned the win by stopping 44 of 47 shots.
Wausau will return home for fan appreciation on Saturday, March 2nd. The first 250 fans will receive a Cyclones Scarf presented by Kolbe Windows & Doors. Visit wausaucyclones.com for tickets.
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
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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]
