WEST BEND POWER TO HOST PEORIA FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AT KETTLE MORAINE ICE CENTER
The West Bend Power are saddling up for a weekend series against the Peoria Mustangs this Friday Sept. 22 and Saturday Sept. 23 at the Kettle Moraine Ice Center. This weekend is WEST BEND WEEKEND, helping celebrate the team’s new ownership and rebrand this season.
Friday’s game is Washington County Youth Hockey Association (WCYHA) night, presented by Graff Masonry. All skaters from the WCYHA program get free admission to the game. Saturday’s contest is West Bend night and TDS Telecom Skate with the Power night. West Bend residents have five-dollar entry. The first 250 fans will receive a free TDS Flashing Fiberoptic Wand. Additionally, skate rental will be free for a postgame skate with West bend Power players. Both matchups start at 7:30pm CST
Opening night offense
The Power’s offense exploded during their opening night game against the Oregon Tradesmen Sept. 16. In their 9-1 victory, Cole Fenske and Andrew Butler both scored twice. Owen Amon notched his first NA3HL point, an assist on Rocco Cicirello’s shorthanded breakaway goal at 10:21 in the third period. Captain Connor O’Neal jumped onto the scoresheet with a three-point night, earning a goal and two assists. Goaltender Gavin Wohlmacher played outstanding, stopping 41 of 42 shots on goal.
Across the Aisle
Peoria has a young roster this year, having 16 skaters and all three goaltenders from last season age out or advance from the NA3HL. However, the new blood injected into this Mustang lineup has plenty of firepower, with a few veteran anchors. Peoria is off to a 2-0 start after sweeping the St. Louis Jr. Blues last weekend.
Returning forward Massimo Polistina will no doubt lead the Peoria forecheck for this year’s campaign. Entering his third season with the Mustangs, Polistina racked up 42 points (14 goals, 28 assists) in 47 games played during the 2022-23 season while also serving as an alternate captain. Newcomer Anden Marceau, who most recently played for his local Alpine High in Alpine, MI, looks to add to the offensive mix. Marceau led Alpine High with 66 points in 23 games played, while also being physical enough to garner 49 penalty minutes, the most on his squad. His contributions don’t end there, as he was second on Alpine High in both goals with 28 and assists with 38.
On defense, Sam Truxaw will be a constant. His 8 assists in 47 games played last season were third among Peoria defensemen. Truxaw’s gritty, yet aggressive mindset on ice comes through clearly with his 88 penalty minutes last season, second among Mustang blueliners, and fifth amongst all his teammates. Between the pipes, Mason West will take over for Kason Yamada, who advanced to the North American Hockey League’s (NAHL) Springfield Jr. Blues. West was captain of his Traverse City West High School team during the 2022-23 season and was also named Player of the Year by the Traverse City Record Eagle on April 3, 2023. His performance backs it up numerically. Despite losing his first five starts, West posted a goals allowed average of 2.27, a save percentage of 0.934 and four shutouts throughout 16 games.
TICKET INFORMATION: Tickets can be purchase on line or at the door. General Admission tickets are $10/adults and $5/child/senior/military All-inclusive beverage tickets are $25 for admission and 5 beverages. Season tickets, VIP Power Pit Group tickets and limited glass-side table season tickets are available.
Broadcast Information
Both contests against the Peoria Mustangs will be streamed on NAHLTV with puck drop at 7:30pm CST broadcasted by Frank Zawrazky. The pregame show with Frank will begin around 7:15pm.
