Wisconsin Windigo Weekly
October 24, 2022 – North American Hockey League (NAHL) – Wisconsin Windigo News Release
Luke Levandowski of the Wisconsin Windigo
(Wisconsin Windigo)
The Wisconsin Windigo traveled 3,462 miles to Soldotna, Alaska, to face the Kenai River Brown
Bears in a two-game series last weekend. A newcomer to the Windigo traveled even further to play
his first game in the North American Hockey League. Luke Levandowski was acquired from the
Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League on Tuesday, October 18. Levandowski
commenced his 4,118 mile journey to Alaska the next day commencing with a 12-hour drive from
Youngstown, Ohio, to Minneapolis. From there he boarded a plane to take him to Anchorage. After a
3-hour drive from Anchorage to Soldotna, the newest Windigo joined his team late Thursday night.
Levandowski is a native of Rosemount, MN, and is committed to pay D-1 hockey at the University of
Wisconsin next season.
Friday, October 21: Wisconsin Windigo- 1 at Kenai River- 2 (OT)
–
As the score would indicate
this game was a closely contested match; however, this wasn’t the case in the third period. First
period shots on goal favored the Windigo 11 to 9, but it was the Brown Bears who struck first six
minutes into the game. After an evenly matched and scoreless second period, Levandowski’s long
trip proved worthwhile as he tied the game nine minutes into the third period. His highlight reel goal
commenced inside the Windigo zone when he received the puck off a pass from Windigo
defenseman
Cole Mickel and headed up the ice. As he entered the Brown Bears’ zone, he split two
defenders and drove to the net. He lifted the puck past Kenai goalie Bryant Marks from the top of the
goal crease. “From the time Luke picked up the puck, you had a sense that he wasn’t going to be
denied on that rush. He split two defenders with a great move and drove hard to the net. For him to
make that kind of play after traveling two straight days and arriving here just 18 hours before game
time demonstrates the type of character and competitive spirit he has, ” commented Windigo head
coach Blake Hietala.
“That’s the type of play that I felt Luke capable of when I drafted him last June.
I’m just glad he became available to us now,” continued Hietala. “It was great to help my new
teammates with that goal. It took a couple of periods to shake the road legs, but I felt stronger as the
game went on,” explained Levandowski after the game. “I’m looking forward to getting to know my
teammates
and I can’t wait to play in front of our fans in the Dome when we get back to Eagle River.”
Levandowski’s goal appeared to wake the Brown Bears as they carried the play the balance of the
third period. Windigo goalie Max Beckford was called upon to make 20 saves in the third and
pushed the game into overtime.
Kenai’s Kotaro Tsutsumi, who hails from Tokyo, Japan, put an end
to the Windigo comeback effort when he scored on a breakaway 56 seconds into overtime. Beckford
made 38 saves on the 40 shots he faced and picked up an assist as well.
“Max played his best game
of the year for us.
He carried the team on his shoulders during the third period. I can’t ask for much
more from him,” offered coach Hietala.
Saturday, October 22: Wisconsin Windigo- 0 at Kenai River- 5
– After a heartbreaking loss on
Friday, the Windigo came out flying on Saturday night. They dominated the first 10 minutes of the
game but failed to convert on several scoring chances. Kenai scored once in each of the first two
periods, then scored three times in the third to close out a 5 to 0 win. The game was marred by 21
penalties and a very ugly incident in which Windigo star forward Zach Cline was injured in the first
period. Cline was checked heavily from behind by a Kenai player who charged the width of the ice
without breaking stride and left his feet to hit Cline into the boards. Kline will be out 2 to 4 weeks with
an upper body injury. “That was a very dangerous play that doesn’t belong in the game,” commented
coach Hietala. The Windigo outshot Kenai River 34 to 28 in the game but where shutout for the fifth
time this season.
Up Next: October 28 and 29
– Anchorage Wolverines
– The Windigo head north to take on the
Anchorage Wolverines on Friday and Saturday, October 28 and 29. Receiving no mercy from the
schedulers, the Windigo will then return to the lower 48 states for away games against the Chippewa
Steel on November 4 and 5. The Windigo finish their longest road stint of the season in Janesville,
WI, against the Jets on November 11 and 12.
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