The Power completed the regular season with a weekend split; a home loss to Wausau on Friday and a road victory over the Wisconsin Woodsmen on Saturday. The additional two points were enough to secure second place in the Central Division and home ice advantage in the first round of the Fraser Cup playoffs. Saturday’s victory was the Power’s 32nd win on the season, a Power franchise record!
In front of a standing-room only crowd at Kettle Moraine Ice Center on Friday, the Power dropped the final regular season meeting with the first place Wausau Cyclones 4-2. Wausau got the lone goal of the first period at 7:30 for a 1-0 lead after one period. The visiting Cyclones added two more goals in the second period at 8:41 and 6:52. The Power was able to light the lamp one time in the second period at 3:26 when Bryce Garber scored his 27th goal of the season off assists from Tommy Kundinger (10) and Zach Wolverton (16) to bring the score to 3-1 after two periods of play. Wausau added their fourth goal at 10:48 of the third period. Cole Fenske (17) added the Power’s second goal with 30 seconds to play for the 4-2 final. He was assisted by Teagan Scheurer (25). Jesse Easterwood took the loss in the Power net stopping 24/28 shots on goal. The Power had 43 shots on goal.
Saturday the Power traveled to Tomah to face the Wisconsin Woodsmen in the final regular season game of the year and came away with the important two points in the 3-2 victory.
There was no scorning in the first period for either team. The Power scored twice in the second period. Max Mudge got the Power on the board at 17:44 with his 10th goal of the season. He was assisted by Owen Drake (12) and Connor O’Neal (14). Connor O’Neal (16) tallied a power play goal at 16:02 off assists from Mike Sobaski (9) and Teagan Scheurer (26) for a 2-0 lead after two periods of play. The Woodsmen cut the lead in half at 17:29 of the third period, but Bryce Garber was able to extend the Power lead with his 28th goal of the season at 10:34 off assists from Nik Johnson (26) and Max Mudge (26). The Woodsmen kept it interesting adding another goal at 3:15 but couldn’t get another and the Power came away with the 3-2 victory. Ian Kangas got the victory in the Power net stopping 21/23 shots on goal. The Power had 24 shots on goal.
The Kundinger Power players of the weekend are the entire Power team, for their accomplishments together in a strong regular season as they focus on a team effort heading into the playoffs.
PLAYOFF ROUND ONE:
Game one – Friday, March 8, 7:30pm at Kettle Moraine Ice Center, sponsored by Synergy Ops/Regal Ware, 6th Avenue BBQ Pit and Ansay International.
Game two – Saturday, March 9, 7:30pm at Oregon Ice Arena.
Game three (if necessary) – Sunday, March 10, 12:00pm at Kettle Moraine Ice Center.
All games will be broadcast on NAHL TV.
