Wisconsin forward Braydon Beahm scored a powerplay goal with forty-nine seconds remaining in the game to give the Windigo a 3 – 2 lead en route to a 4 – 2 win over the Rebels. Ryan Bunting and Luke Janviriya scored while Owen Crudale was sensational between the pipes in defeat. It was the opening game of the NAHL Showcase for both teams.
Bunting opened the scoring just 3:24 into the game. Brock Jones brought the puck up through center ice and into the offensive zone. As Jones gained the link, he passed the puck back to Billy Sheridan on Jones right at the far side point. Sheridan took a shot that Bunting redirected out front and past Windigo goalie Lucas Szyszka for Bunting’s second goal of the season.
While Crudale had to make several Grade A saves throughout the contest, he had to make four successive saves until the rebound came out to Crudale’s right and Windigo’s Jackson Ernst picked up the biscuit and slammed it into the back of the net with 2:11 remaining in the first to even the score.
Jones was called for cross-checking just forty-three seconds into the middle stanza. A minute later Windigo took a 2 – 1 lead. Wisconsin’s Zachary Cline set up the play just outside the Rebels near side faceoff circle and Cline set a pass back to Michael Ryan at the apex of the slot. Ryan took a low-line shot that found its way through a maze and past Crudale for Ryan’s first goal of the season.
Wisconsin’s Wyatt Herres was called for slashing at 3:36 into the third period. Less than a minute later Janviriya tied the contest. While setting up in the offensive zone at the far side blueline, Charles Panchisin sent a pass back to Janviriya at the point and the defenseman took a clapper that Szyszka never saw through a screen from Jones to give Janviriya his first goal of the season.
Bryce Strand was called for a delay of game with 1:54 remaining in the game to give the Windigo the man advantage. Less than a minute later, Beahm scored on a backdoor pass that Crudale never had a chance to make and give Wisconsin the 3 – 2 lead. Wisconsin’s Theodore Richardson scored an empty goal with four seconds remaining in the contest to close out the scoring and make it a 4 – 2 game.
Crudale stopped 30 of 33 shots while Szyszka turned aside 21 of 23. Click HERE for the complete box score.
