Romanko on Playoff Roll

Entering Friday night’s Game 3 of the Midwest Division Finals, Darian Romanko has recorded at least one point in every playoff game for the Minnesota Wilderness.

Romanko not only extended his point streak at the Big Dipper Ice Arena, but also moved the Wilderness one step closer to claiming the North American Hockey League’s Robertson Cup title.

The native of Shoreview, Minnesota, had an assist in the second period before scoring the eventual game-winner at 14:00 of the third period in the Wilderness’ 6-3 come-from-behind win over the Fairbanks Ice Dogs.

The win completed a three-game sweep of the Ice Dogs in the Midwest Division Finals and advanced the Wilderness to the Robertson Cup Semifinals.

“It’s hard to explain, but I love being out there in tight situations, game on my stick, taking draws and everything. I love to be in that moment,” Romanko said.

Romanko, who is a Minnesota Golden Gopher commit, finished with five points on two goals and three assists in the win.

Romanko added an empty-net goal with 1:10 left to seal the win.

Including the end of the regular season, Romanko has had at least one point in 10 straight games.

“He’s our best player and he scores big goals,” Wilderness head coach Cory Millen said.

Romanko began the series against the Ice Dogs by scoring twice in the third period in the come-from-behind 2-1 win in Game 1 in Cloquet, Minnesota. He finished with four goals and eight points in the three-game sweep.

“I scored some pretty big goals last year and this year,” Romanko said. “It just seems to happen to find my stick and the back of the net usually.”

Romanko scored 41 points on 20 goals and 21 assists during the 2013-14 season, his first with the Wilderness.

He leads all skaters with 17 points on six goals and 11 assists in four postseason games this season.

“He’s a big time player. He works hard, he shoots well, he competes well,” Millen said.

Romanko leads a group of four Wilderness forwards atop the playoff scoring leaders. Aaron Miller is second in the NAHL with 13 points during the playoffs, followed by Romanko’s linemante Dan Litchke with 11 points.

Tyler Cline, an Alaska Nanooks recruit, is fourth in the NAHL with 10 points in the playoffs.

Miller had two assists on Friday night while Cline and Litchke each scored a goal.

wq