West Bend, WI – The West Bend Power clash with the Wausau Cyclones this weekend for the first time since Oct. 21. The Power host the Cyclones on Friday, Feb. 2 and travel to Wausau the following night, Saturday, February 3. Games start at 7:30 and 7:10pm CST respectively.
Friday is Washington County Humane Society and West Bend School District Night at Kettle Moraine Ice Center, sponsored by Pet Supplies Plus West Bend. All West Bend students and staff will receive free admission with valid school ID. Fans will receive $5 admission with a donation to the Humane Society. Requested items include but are not limited to: Purina Cat and Dog Chow, Peanut Butter, Non-Scoopable cat litter, laundry detergent and pet toys. Other sought-after products are bite sized treats, Peanut butter, canned dog and cat food, paper towels and gift cards to pet stores such as Fleet Farm, Friends of Nature, or Pet Supplies Plus.
Down with Lumberjacks
The Power made history in Sauk Rapids, sweeping the Granite City Lumberjacks on the season for the first time in Granite City’s 17-year franchise history. With the wins on Jan. 26 and Jan. 27, West Bend swept Granite City at home for the first time since 2013.
Head Coach Jason Woods was elated following the sweep but stressed the need to be mindful of each weekend. “We’re coming off a huge weekend in Granite City but that doesn’t change our direction,” Woods said. “We need to continue to focus on the task at hand and be sure we’re prepared as we enter every game. This weekend we focus on Wausau who we know can put points on the board.”
Across the Aisle
Wausau has cruised through their regular season with a 29-7-0-1 record and 59 points, cementing them in the Central Division’s first place. Out of the five remaining Central Division teams, only the Power have a tied or winning record against the Cyclones. Including this weekend’s series, West Bend plays Wausau six out of their nine regular season games.
The Cyclone offense has blown away the competition thus far with eight skaters above 20 points. Leading the surge are Connor Dvorak and Isaac Baker. Dvorak is fourth in the NA3HL in points with 54 through 37 games as a rookie. Baker is also lighting up the league leaderboard, second among defensemen and sixth leaguewide in assists with 35 in 36 games. The St. Cloud, MN native played two games in a call up to the NAHL’s Springfield Jr. Blues. A familiar face joined Wausau recently, as Matthew Mahoney came over from the St. Louis Jr. Blues before the trade deadline. Mahoney has two assists in his two games with the Cyclones since being traded.
Colin Lemanski has been the workhorse in net in Wausau. He has started in 23 of the Cyclones’ 37 games this season with a record of 18-4-0-1 and 2.21 goals allowed average. Lemanski’s 0.937 save percentage is sixth in the NA3HL and best in the Central Division, just 0.28% higher than West Bend’s Brooks Barofsky. Rookie netminders Tanner Bonjernoor and Brady Faille have served as solid backups when Lemanski needs a break with a combined 11-3 record.
Broadcast Information
Frank Zawrazky is back in the booth on Feb. 2 versus the Wausau Cyclones at 7:30pm CST. All games this season, including this weekend’s game in Wausau are streaming on NAHL TV. For those unable to stream, Frank is running his Instagram Live Face Cam Broadcast, which starts at 7:30pm on Instagram @Frank.Zawrazky.
