SOLDOTNA, Alaska — With a pair of wins over the Kenai River Brown Bears, the Wisconsin Windigo hockey team moved into a tie with the Janesville Jets for first place in the NAHL’s Midwest Division.

The Windigo are 22-10-3-2 on the season, good for 49 points. The Jets have played one less game.

“These are games we should expect to win at this stage of the season,” said Windigo coach Blake Hietala, “in spite of the long road trip.”

On Friday, the two teams battled to a scoreless tie until almost halfway through the second period. Forward Braydon Beahm got the Windigo on the board 9:23 into the middle frame. Michigan Tech recruit Quinn Disher got the play started by winning a puck battle and then getting the puck over to forward Elliot Gulley. Gulley quickly moved the puck over to Beahm, who skated in and scored on a wrist shot.

Forward Max Martin followed that goal up with one of his own at 12:25. Forward Mario DiMaggio fired the initial shot that Martin tipped home for his league-leading 28th goal of the season.

The Brown Bears cut the lead in half just 2:52 into the third period on the power play. The game remained 2-1 in favor of Wisconsin.

Forward Tyler Grahme sealed the win with just 10 seconds left when he scored an empty net goal. Defenseman Cashen Naeve picked up the assist on the goal.

Goaltender Max Beckford stopped 30 of 31 Brown Bears’ shots to earn the win.

Hietala was proud of the way Beckford fought for the win, especially given that the Windigo struggled early in the game in front of him after the long trip to Alaska.

“Beckford was sharp in net right from the start on Friday,” Hietala said. “He gave his teammates the opportunity to settle into the rhythm of the game and get their legs moving.”

Saturday night, the Windigo did not wait until the second period to get on the board. Disher buried his second goal since joining Wisconsin just 4:49 in on a wrist shot from the high slot. Gully and Beahm both assisted on the goal.

Holding a 1-0 lead into the second period, the Windigo struck for a second time when Grahme scored a goal on the back door at 6:25. Martin and forward Will Schumacher assisted on the goal.

Grahame then figured in the scoring again on the Windigo’s third goal. Martin batted home a rebound off Grahme’s initial shot at 11:08. Forward Everett Pietila also assisted on the goal.

Looking for some insurance in the third, forward Logan Nickolaus knocked home a rebound to give Wisconsin a 4-0 lead 9:25 in. Forward Zach Cline and Disher both assisted on the goal.

Goaltender Linards Lipskis stopped all 23 shots the Brown Bears threw his way to earn the shutout, his fourth of the season.

Hietala was happy to see Beahm, Disher and Nickolaus all find ways to chip in over the course of the weekend.

“It was great to see Beahm, Disher and Nickolaus get on the scoreboard this weekend,” he said. “Their efforts exemplify the depth we have up front. We have several players capable of scoring on a regular basis”

On top of the depth scoring, the Windigo continue to get offense from their leaders, like Martin and Schumacher.

“Martin continues to show why he is the leading scorer in the league,” Hietala said. “Grahme and Schumacher continue to produce and demonstrate why they are among the elite players in this league.”

Lipskis earned his 12th win of the season in the game as well.

“It was great to see Lipskis earn another shutout,” said Hietala. “Our goaltending duo is performing well.”

PROSPECTS TOURNEY PARTICIPANTS

Just prior to embarking on the road trip to Kenai River, five players and Hietala were selected to represent the Windigo at the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, which will be held at the Mario Lemieux Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Feb. 5-6.

Schumacher, Sam Groebner and Pietila will represent the Midwest Division. Rookie forward Jacob Jastrzebski will play for the Selects Gold team.

Windigo newcomer Carter Theissen will play for the Central Division team. Theissen was obtained from the North Iowa Bulls of the Central Division at the time selections were made.

Hietala will coach the Silver Selects team.

UP NEXT

The Windigo head further north, to Fairbanks, Alaska, to face the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in a three-game series Jan. 25, 26 and 27.