The Minnesota Mallards are back in Minnesota after wrapping up their extended Alaska road trip and are turning their attention to a big home-and-home weekend against the Minnesota Wilderness.
Minnesota dropped both games against Anchorage last weekend, falling 7-2 on Friday before a 7-4 loss Saturday night. Despite the results, the Mallards showed fight in the series finale, with captain Ty Gordon leading the offense with a hat trick.
Now, with a new veteran defenseman joining the group and two games against a Midwest Division opponent ahead, the Mallards have an opportunity to reset and respond.
Tough Weekend in Anchorage
The Mallards entered Anchorage coming off back-to-back wins in Fairbanks, but the Wolverines were able to take control early in Friday night’s matchup.
Anchorage built a 4-0 lead in the opening period and continued to push throughout the night. Minnesota found the back of the net twice, including a third-period goal from Gordon, but the Wolverines closed out a 7-2 victory.
Saturday’s game was much more competitive.
Gordon opened the scoring just two minutes into the game before Anchorage responded and eventually took a 2-1 lead into the second period.
Minnesota continued battling.
Gordon scored again to tie the game before Ryan Lucarelli gave the Mallards a 3-2 advantage heading into the third.
Anchorage answered with two quick goals early in the final period, but Gordon completed the hat trick to tie the game at 4-4.
The Wolverines eventually pulled away late, scoring three unanswered goals to finish the night with a 7-4 win.
The losses closed out a long Alaska stretch for Minnesota, but the focus now shifts back home.
Mallards Add Veteran Benjamin Bertrand
Minnesota also made a move this week, trading the rights of forward Joseph Delaurentis to the Oklahoma Warriors in exchange for veteran left-shot defenseman Benjamin Bertrand.
The move adds experience to the Mallards’ blue line as the team enters another important stretch of Midwest Division games.
Adding a veteran defenseman can provide another steady presence on the back end as Minnesota looks to tighten things up defensively and build consistency moving forward.
For the Mallards, the timing gives Bertrand an immediate opportunity to step into the group ahead of two games against the Wilderness.
A Home-and-Home With the Wilderness
Minnesota won’t have to travel far this weekend.
The Mallards and Minnesota Wilderness will split the series between the two clubs’ home arenas.
Friday, November 13 | 7:15 PM
Mallards at Minnesota Wilderness
Northwoods Credit Union Arena — Cloquet, Minnesota
Saturday, November 14 | 7:00 PM
Minnesota Wilderness at Mallards
Forest Lake Sports Center — Forest Lake, Minnesota
Friday gives the Mallards an opportunity to respond on the road before returning to Forest Lake for Saturday night’s rematch in front of the home crowd.
Turning the Page
A long road trip can test any team.
Minnesota played five games in Alaska across two weekends, taking two of three from Fairbanks before dropping both games in Anchorage.
Now the Mallards get a chance to regroup.
They return to Minnesota with a new veteran defenseman joining the lineup and two important games against a familiar division opponent directly ahead.
The goal this weekend is simple: respond.
Build off the offensive push shown Saturday night in Anchorage, tighten things up defensively, and turn the page with a strong performance against the Wilderness.
The Mallards return to Forest Lake Sports Center Saturday night looking to defend home ice and get back on track.
