Thursday Thriller: Minnesota Secures Tight Victory

Minnesota 2 @ Chippewa 1 - The Minnesota Wilderness traveled to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin to face the Chippewa Steel in the lone Thursday night matchup. The contest would prove to be a tight one with the Wilderness ultimately pulling away with the 2-1 win in the final minute. The first period was a fast one with minimal stoppages and no scoring. In the second, the Steel would strike first on a Mason Johnson wrap-around goal just 55 seconds into the period, for a 1-0 lead. It would take just three minutes for the Wilderness to respond with a goal by Avery Anderson, assisted by Kevin Lysohir, 1-1. In the third, the game stayed a close one with both teams having chances. The Wilderness would break through the wall of Max Kogler with just 50 seconds left in regulation, Noah Dziver would find the back of the net for his 24th this season. Steel netminder Max Kogler would save 29 of 31 shots and post a 0.935 save percentage. Wilderness netminder Valdemar Andersen would save 24 of 25 shots and post a 0.96 save percentage. Despite a valiant effort from the Steel, the Wilderness would take this one, 2-1.