Monday Matchups: The Wilderness and Bruins Clinch Spots at Robertson Cup Thanks to Game Five Victories

Photo Credit: Madalyn Deane Photography

Wisconsin 0 @ Minnesota 3 (Minnesota wins series 3-2) - In the last Midwest Division Final game, the Wilderness completed the comeback and secured their spot at the 2026 Robertson Cup. The opening period featured both teams trading chances; however, neither was able to light the lamp. Minnesota outshot Wisconsin 12 to 6 in the first frame. Moving into the second period, the Wilderness would score during a 4-on-4 as Zach Homer finds twine backhanded to give Minnesota the one-goal advantage. That tally marked Homer’s eighth of the postseason. The second-period scoring would continue as University of Alaska-Fairbanks commit, Landon Cottingham, would also strike in backhanded fashion to give the Wilderness a 2-0 lead. The blueliner capitalized on a bouncing puck off a Wisconsin Windigo’s skate in front of the Windigo’s net. Minnesota would score one more in the second frame as Matt Hauser strikes from the blue line, and Avery Anderson redirects the goal to tip in the tally for Minnesota. The goal was scored on the man advantage following a major penalty called on Wisconsin’s Brayden Severin moments prior in the game. Moving into the final period, neither team would light the lamp as Wisconsin outshot the Wilderness 9 to 8 in the last 20 minutes. One important moment to note is in the final 90 seconds of the contest, as Minnesota’s captain, Avery Anderson, blocked four shots for the Wilderness in the span of 30 seconds. His determination to punch the Wilderness’ ticket to the Robertson Cup was evident. Minnesota skated to a 3-0 shutout victory and earned a Midwest Division Title. In net for the Wilderness, Valdemar Andersen turned aside all 24 shots to notch his first shutout of the season.

Aberdeen 1 @ Austin 2 (Austin wins series 3-2) - In a tight affair at the Riverside Arena, the Austin Bruins rise in a come-from-behind way to secure their spot at the Robertson Cup. The contest kicked off as the Aberdeen Wings struck first, thanks to Anthony Ciaramitaro scoring in one-timer fashion eight minutes into the frame. It would not be long until the Bruins would even the score as Gavin Hruza found twine for the first time in the postseason. Hruza lit the lamp in power-play fashion thanks to a rebound off of Aberdeen’s netminder. Moving into the second frame, the Bruins take the lead off a team effort 90 seconds into the period. Ryan Lund would snipe the puck from the point as Carter McKay would tip the puck near the blue paint. Finishing off the goal would be Air Force commit, Zander Lipsett, tapping the puck in for the lead. Moving into the final frame, both teams traded chances as Aberdeen would outshoot Austin 13 to 7. However, it would be the Bruins to skate to a 2-1 victory over the Wings. In net, Cody Butikis turned aside 29 out of 30 shots on net, to notch the victory and ticket punched for the Bruins.