Photo courtesy of Cathy Iverson Wisconsin forward Max Martin (14) presses the attack along with forward Will Schumacher (15) during a game last weekend against Springfield at the Eagle River Sports Arena in Eagle River, Wisconsin.

EAGLE RIVER, Wis. — Coming into last weekend, the Wisconsin Windigo held a slim, three-point lead over the Anchorage Wolverines for first in the North American Hockey League’s Midwest Division. When the dust settled from the action, both teams earned sweeps, leaving the Windigo’s advantage where it had been.

Wisconsin needed overtime to dispatch the Springfield Jr. Blues on Friday night, 4-3, before cruising to a 5-1 win on Saturday. With the wins, the Windigo improved to 37-14-3-3 on the season, good for 80 points in 57 games.

The Wolverines still have three games in hand.

“We accomplished what we needed this weekend,” said Windigo coach Blake Hietala, a Houghton native and Michigan Tech alum. “I liked the energy in the building. It’s great to see our fan support continue to grow.”

On Friday night, the Windigo lead 3-0 after 20 minutes, then carried a 3-1 lead into the third period, but gave up two goals, forcing overtime.

In the extra session, forward Max Martin scored his 41st goal of the season when outbattled a Blues defender and beat goaltender J.J. Cataldo 2:51 in. Defenseman Erick Comstock picked up the lone assist on the play.

While Martin did not score another goal in the contest, he did pick up two assists in the opening frame. The first came 5:05 in when defenseman Mario DiMaggio scored his third goal of the season with a shot that snuck through a screen and past Cataldo. Forward Elliot Gulley picked up the other assist on the play.

Martin’s second assist came at 8:23, as Michigan Tech recruit Ethan DeKay was credited with a goal. DeKay had picked up a pass from DiMaggio and skated through the neutral zone before a Blues defender knocked the puck off his stick and backwards into his own net.

Forward Will Schumacher made it a 3-0 game in favor of Wisconsin when he struck with a one-timer on the power play at 16:55. Forwards Jacob Jastrzebski and Everett Pietila both earned assists.

Goaltender Max Beckford made 24 saves to earn the win for the Windigo.

“I’m obviously pleased with the sweep, but was disappointed that we let them back in the game on Friday,” Hietala said. “We need to play with more discipline and stay out of the penalty box. I recognize that we are a little banged up and tired at this point in the season, but we need to focus on playing smart hockey.”

Saturday night, the Blues struck first with the only goal of the opening frame. From there, the Windigo scored the next five goals to earn the win.

Trailing 1-0 in the second, Wisconsin got on the board when Schumacher found the net with his 31st goal of the season at 1:49 with the Windigo on a two-man advantage power play. Jastrzebski and Pietila both picked up assists on the tally.

Once sparked, the Windigo poured on the offense, striking twice more and outshooting the Blues, 18-1, in the process.

Martin made it a 2-1 lead when he scored the game-winning goal from the slot at 8:59, giving the Windigo the lead for good. Defenseman Carter Theissen and Jastrzebski earned assists.

Schumacher then struck again at 14:42, this time from the high slot area. Pietila and forward Samuel Groebner both picked up assists.

Leading 3-1 in the third, the Windigo struck again when Martin scored his 42nd tally of the season just 48 seconds in. Gulley and DiMaggio both assisted on the goal, which Martin scored from the top of the circle.

Forward Braydon Beahm capped Wisconsin’s offense with a goal at 17:40, putting the game out of reach for good. Martin earned the primary assist, with defenseman Daniil Dolzhenko getting the other.

Goaltender Linards Lipskis made 14 saves to earn the win, his 20th, for the Windigo.

DEKAY, BEAHM

CHIP IN

DeKay, who missed several games due to injury, has two points in his last four games as he begins to find his way for Wisconsin. For Beahm, the goal he scored on Saturday broke a 12-game scoring drought.

“It’s great to have DeKay back in the lineup,” said Hietala. “He’s starting to return to top form again.

“I was thrilled to see Beahm finally be rewarded for his effort. He’s been in a scoring slump recently, and his unassisted goal on Saturday was a great effort. I’m sure that will boost his confidence, which is what we need as we wrap up the regular season and head into the playoffs.”

MIDWEST STAR OF THE WEEK AND

WINDIGO LEAGUE LEADERS

Martin’s three goals and two assists on the weekend earned him Bauer Midwest Division Star of the Week honors for the third time this season. It also propelled him to a league leading 43 goals and 96 points.

“Max Martin had another great weekend,” said Hietala. “He showed the type of player and leader he is. He put the team on his back and scored a huge goal for us in overtime on Friday.”

Tyler Grahme (who did not see action last weekend due to injury) is sixth in the league in points, with 23 goals and 39 assists.

Schumacher’s 32 goals puts him third in the league in that category.

“Schumacher had a great weekend as well,” Hietala said. “His scoring touch has been a big reason for our success this season. He’s helped our power play to be so productive.”

Beckford’s saves percentage (0.9388) is second in the league and his goals against average (1.859) is third amongst goaltenders. Lipskis won his 20th game of the season on Saturday night, good for 10th among netminders in the league.

UP NEXT

The Windigo travel to Minnesota to face the Wilderness on March 29 and 30.