Wisconsin forward Elliot Gulley (21) heads up ice with forward Zach Cline (4) during a game against Chippewa last weekend at the Eagle River Sports Arena in Eagle River, Wisconsin. (Photo courtesy of Cathy Iverson)

EAGLE RIVER, Wis. — Looking to build off of the success they had in their first two seasons in Eagle River, Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Windigo got off to the kind of start they were looking for this past weekend with a sweep of the visiting Chippewa Steel at the Eagle River Sports Arena.

The Windigo defeated the Steel 5-3 on Friday before squeezing out a 3-2 win on Saturday.

“It was great to start of the season on a high note,” said Windigo coach John Mitchell, who replaced Blake Hietala in the offseason. “On Friday, I was very pleased with our play during the first two periods. We seemed to take our foot of the gas in the third and gave them a chance to get back into the game.”

A pair of experienced defenders got the Windigo on the board first on Friday. Cashen Naeve scored just 3:16 in, with forwards Braydon Beahm and Logan Nickolaus picking up assists. Then, 10:03 later, Mario DiMaggio struck when he picked off a clearing pass and buried it.

“Our veteran defensemen stepped up and led the way for us early on,” said Mitchell. “It was great to see Cash and Mario break the ice for us.”

Former Hartland forward Jack L’Esperance pulled the Steel into the game 3:55 into the middle frame. But goals by forwards Zachary Cline and Alexios Georgaklis put the Windigo up 4-1 just over a minute and a half apart at 9:12 and 10:51. Forward Michael Ryan assisted on both tallies.

The Steel struck once more before the end of the second and again late in the third to pull to within one at 4-3, but Cline scored his second goal of the game at 18:38 to seal the win.

“We talked about the need to keep the momentum going in the third,” said Mitchell. “We’ll work on that as the season progresses. Cline was rewarded for his hard work on Friday. We’re looking for returners like him to show the new guys what it takes to be successful in this league.”

Goaltender Lucas Szyszka, who spent most of last season in net with Omaha in the USHL, made 19 saves to record his first win as a member of the Windigo.

Szyszka had to be better on Saturday, as the Windigo needed overtime to earn the win.

The Steel got to Szyszak early, striking 3:56 in. Nickolaus responded for the Windigo at 17:51 with a redirect. Forward Luke Baker picked up his second assist of the weekend on the play.

Forward Carson Strapon put the Windigo up for the first time at 9:07 of the middle frame when he scored his first NAHL goal. Baker earned the primary assist on the tally.

The Steel evened the game 2:32 later, and the game remained a 2-2 tie into overtime.

Just 1:23 into the 3-on-3 session, forward Elliot Gulley joined a rush with Cline. Cline got the puck over to Gulley, who then used Cline as a decoy before burying the game-winning goal.

Szyzska made 25 saves to earn the win.

“We seemed to come out flat on Saturday,” Mitchell said. “We took too many penalties.

“Lucas stood tall in net for us. He made several good saves that gave us a chance to get our feet moving. We have much to work on, but for the most part, I was pleased with our effort this weekend.”

REDDICK TAKES ON NEW ROLE

New assistant coach Bryce Reddick, a former Michigan Tech Huskies forward, who focuses on coaching the defensemen, saw some things he liked in his group, that includes Naeve and DiMaggio, who both scored on Friday.

“With only two returning vets in the lineup, we weren’t sure what to expect this weekend,” he said. “A number of guys stepped up for us. I liked the offense they contributed and the grit they exhibited.

“We turned the puck over a few times, perhaps trying to do too much. We defended well on the penalty kill, keeping their power play off the board all weekend. We’ve got to play with more discipline and stay out the of penalty box.”

MAILLETTE MAKES DEBUT

Former Houghton center Michael Maillette made his NAHL debut on Friday, getting one shot on net against the Steel. On Saturday, he did not record a shot. He centered the team’s fourth line for the weekend.

CARLSON COMPLETES PRESEASON

Former Houghton winger Gaborik Carlson got into one preseason game with the Melville Millionaires in SJHL action. After not dressing in a 4-0 loss to Weyburn on Saturday, Sept, 7, and in a 3-1 loss to Waywayseecappo on Wednesday, Sept. 11, Carlson was in the lineup against Yorkton on Friday, Sept. 13.

In the contest, he picked up an assist on a power play goal in the second period and then added a second assist just 6:11 into the third period.

SHAMROCKS ADD TWO LOCALS

The Watertown Shamrocks of the NAHL added a pair of Copper Country skaters to their roster for the 2024-25 season in former Gremlins forward Camden Markham and former Bay Port forward Elliot Mikesch.

Mikesch joins a Shamrocks squad that features two former teammates in Samuel and William Lyons.

Markham, Mikesch and the Shamrocks open their season Friday at home against the Bismarck Bobcats.

WINDIGO FEATURE ANOTHER YOOPER

Forward Beau Kravlovec, made his Windigo debut on Friday night. The Iron Mountain native was a +1 with two shots on goal for the weekend.

Kravlovec spent the last two seasons with the Lone Star Brahmas, where he played in 34 games and scored one goal.

RAFFAELLI HEADS OVERSEAS

Former Houghton defenseman Connor Raffaelli made his debut with EC-KAC U20 in the Austria U20 International league.

He has played in two games, picking up one assist along the way.

KILPELA OFF TO FAST START

Former Hancock defenseman Todd Kilpela is off to a fast start with Victory Honda 18U Tier 1. He has one goal and six points in seven games.

He has also announced his plans to attend Michigan State via an Instagram post.

UP NEXT

The Windigo hit the road on Friday, Sept. 20, to take on the Minnesota Wilderness in Cloquet, Minnesota. They then return home to host the Fairbanks Ice Dogs on Saturday at 7 p.m.