Wausau, WI – The Wausau Cyclones took on the Milwaukee Power over the weekend as the Cyclones were looking to punch their ticket into the NA3HL Playoffs by winning two of three games in the series. Wausau fell at Milwaukee Friday night 3-0 but won 5-4 and 3-2 in thrilling fashion to secure a Postseason berth.
Saturday night Milwaukee got on the board first at 7:59 with a goal by Easton Nick. Wausau tied the game at one apiece ten minutes later with a goal from Luke Anderson that sent Teddy Bears flying onto the ice as part of the Cyclones Teddy Bear Toss game, which benefits kids in need through the Salvation Army of Wausau. The Cyclones would net the next two goals of the game to give them a 3-1 lead. Zach Maupin scored his 8th of the season and Luke Anderson netted his 11th of the season and second of the game. Milwaukee came firing back with three goals in the next three minutes to take a 4-3 lead. Wausau answered back at 14:43 of the second when Zach Maupin added another to tie the game at 4.
After back-and-forth action for the first 13 minutes of the final frame the Cyclones broke through with a goal from Dominick Bourdon to give Wausau a 5-4 lead. Wausau held on for the final seven minutes to earn a significant win on the home ice. Zach Dosan picked up the win in net after stopping 28 of 32 shots.
After the win on Saturday all Wausau needed was win on Sunday afternoon to clinch a postseason berth. The Cyclones got on the board first just 3 minutes into the with a goal by forward Gage Vierzba. It was his team leading 21st of the season. Milwaukee took a 2-1 lead after goals from Ben Cremers and Marshall Walker. The Power held that lead until 14:01 of the second period. That’s when Hayden Shoemake tied the game at 2 after getting a shot past goaltender Kaden Grant. The contest headed into overtime after a scoreless final seven minutes of fast paced action.
After chances by both teams in overtime Cyclones forward Hayden Shoemake netted the game winning goal at 2:40 of the extra frame, which clinched a postseason berth for Wausau. Zach Dosan picked up the win in net by stopping 31 of 33 shots.
Catch the Cyclones back on the home ice in the final two regular season games of the season this Friday and Saturday at 7:10pm. Friday is Family Night presented by Trig’s with special ticket packages up to 30% off. Saturday is Fan Appreciation Night with fan giveaways happening all game, Additional details regarding the Cyclones playoff series the weekend of March 12 will be released as they become available. Stay connected by following the Cyclones @wausaucyclones on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and online at wausaucyclones.com. Subscribe to the Cyclones podcast “Inside Cyclones Hockey”, find it 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.
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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]
