West Bend, WI – The West Bend Power welcome the Wisconsin Woodsmen back to Kettle Moraine Ice Center for a pair of games on Friday. Feb. 9 and Saturday, Feb. 10. Puck drop for both nights is at 7:30pm CST. This series is Hockey Fights Cancer Weekend sponsored by Westbury Bank. The Power is partnering with the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life Hartford/Slinger to raise money and awareness in the fight against cancer. There will be a specialty t-shirt toss, a signed Power player stick raffle and a signed Power player jersey raffle. A highlight of the night will be a Minute to Win It challenge, so bring your cash! The Kettle Moraine Figure Skating Club are also putting on intermission performances.
Snapping the Streak
The Power swept the first place Wausau Cyclones last weekend. Friday’s game was a decisive 5-1 victory, while Saturday’s 5-4 win in Wausau was the first time all season the Cyclones lost at home.
Assistant Coach and General Manager Jeremy Ebert hopes the Power use their momentum versus the Cyclones this weekend against the Woodsmen. “We’re looking to bounce back after losing to the Woodmen in our last contest when we didn’t play well,” Ebert said. “We’re back on our game and playing the way we know we’re capable of.”
Across the Aisle
Wisconsin clinched their spot in the Fraser Cup Playoffs on Feb. 1, but their next hurdle is being the No. 3 seed in the Central Division. The Woodsmen are chasing the Oregon Tradesmen for that spot which Oregon holds by an eight-point margin. Currently, the Woodsmen sit in fourth place with a 20-15-1-2 record and 43 points.
A key piece of the Woodsmen offense has been out of the lineup due to an advancement opportunity. Hugh Deinema, the team’s leading goal scorer was recently called up to the NAHL’s Anchorage Wolverines and remained there during Wisconsin’s recent series in St. Louis. It is unclear when or if he will come back, as the Wolverines are fighting for a playoff spot in a tight Midwest Division. In his absence, forwards Hunter Nelson and Viktor Budik will look to step up. Usually on a line with Deinema, Nelson has looked outstanding. Nelson is second on the Woodsmen with 25 goals in 36 games this season due to his continuous work ethic. Despite being a rookie, Budik has made his presence well known. Budik brings a physical presence every time he steps on the ice while leading his team with 30 assists in 38 games.
After coming over from the Minnesota Loons on Jan. 12, Steven Kelley has continued to shine. Kelley earned a 4-10-1 record and 3.79 save percentage in 17 games. However, his 0.924 save percentage is sixth in the NA3HL.
Broadcast Information
Frank Zawrazky is back in the booth for Hockey Fights Cancer Weekend against the Wisconsin Woodsmen on Feb. 9 and Feb. 10. All games this season are streaming on www.nahltv.com. https://nahltv.com/ For those unable to stream, Frank is running his Instagram Live Face Cam Broadcast, which starts at 7:30pm on Instagram @Frank.Zawrazky.
