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The Vikings put up more of a fight than they have in recent years, but in the end, the outcome was the same.  Wildcat Landon Lushanko had a hat trick, and the Wildcats dominated the game in time of possession, shots on goal and, most importantly of all, the scoreboard,  beating the Vikings 7-1  Saturday, December 6 at Chisago Lakes Arena.

The Wildcats scored twice in the first two minutes of the game.  Nic Bartz opened the scoring at 55 seconds, assisted by Brandon Caudill and Adam Nickelson.  58 seconds later, CJ Haskins put one in the back of the net, with an assist going to Chasse Heiskala, and the Wildcats were up 2-0.  But the Vikings settled down and the Wildcats scored just two more goals by the end of the second period.  Lushanko scored his first goal midway through the first period, assisted by Zack Pautz.  And Lushanko scored his second goal just 11 seconds after the opening faceoff of the second period.  Billy Knaak and Andrue Trelstad picked up assists on the play, and the Wildcats led 4-0.

At 2:48 of the third period, Viking Connor Martineau took advantage of a Wildcat defensive lapse on a Wildcat power play and scored an unassisted shorthanded goal to pull the Vikings to within 4-1.  

Lushanko returned the favor, scoring an unassisted shorthand goal just over two minutes later to stretch the Wildcats’ lead to four goals.  Trelstad scored a couple of minutes later, assisted by Joe Kimlinger, to make the score 6-1 in favor of the Wildcats.  And Tyler Stilp put the finishing touches on this one, scoring the Wildcats’ seventh goal with five minutes left in the game.  Lushanko and Nickelson assisted on Stilp’s goal.

Wildcat head coach Paul Gibson said, “I was pleased with our performance for two periods. We had our best warm up of the season and this led to a strong start.  Particularly in the first period, we moved the puck effectively and found passing lanes. After North Branch made some defensive adjustments in the second period we were not as effective.  They limited us to less than ten shots in the period.  Our guys responded in the third period and starting moving the puck up-ice and finishing strong around the net.”  

He added, “Coaches Cottingham, Palewicz and Fairbanks had the Vikings ready to play. I applaud them for their effort.  It will be a fun rivalry for years to come.”

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