Wilderness Win

Dwight Cadwell – NSO

Tyler Cline’s goal 1:08 into overtime gave the Wilderness a 2-1 victory as the Wilderness won their 8th straight game in the NAHL playoffs to advance to the finals of the Robertson Cup.

he Minnesota Wilderness kept their hot streak going with their eight consecutive playoff win as they defeated the Janesville Jets, 2-1 in overtime to capture the first of two Robertson Cup Semi-Final series.

The Wilderness now advance to the Robertson Cup Finals where they will go on the road to face the winner of the other Semi-Final series between Austin and Lone Star.

The Wilderness again jumped out to a 1st period lead and use another strong defensive game to ultimately thwart the Jets and advance.

Late in the 1st period, the Wilderness took a lead as a shot from the point was redirected by Billy Exell past Janesville goalie Matt Jurusik for a 1-0 lead.

Wilderness goalie Brock Kautz, who had spent so much time as the Jets goalie in previous seasons, was against strong in goal holding the Jets at bay until late in the 3rd period when Janesville would equalize on a goal from defenseman Grant Hutton.

The game would go to overtime and just over a minute in, it was the Wilderness who capitalized.

Some hard work along the boards by Exell, got the puck to Tyler Cline who skated into the low slot and slid a backhander past Jets goalie Matt Jurusik for the game and series winner.

The Wilderness again outshot the Jets, 32-27 with Kautz winning his 8th straight game making 26 saves in the process. Jurusik made 30 saves in the loss