Oct 19, 2026 | Team News
The Minnesota Mallards are heading back to Forest Lake with plenty of momentum after putting together an impressive road sweep over the Springfield Jr. Blues.
Minnesota found a way to win a dramatic opener before taking control of the second game and finishing off a perfect weekend on the road.
Night One Goes the Distance
The opening game of the series was a battle from start to finish.
The Mallards and Jr. Blues traded chances throughout the night, and regulation ended with the teams tied 4-4. Neither side was able to break through in overtime, sending the game to a shootout with the extra point on the line.
That is where Franklin Loo delivered.
Loo came through with the shootout winner to give Minnesota a thrilling 5-4 victory and open the weekend with two important points.
Winning close games is never easy on the road, and the Mallards showed plenty of composure to stay with it and finish the job.
Mallards Take Control in Game Two
After needing a shootout on the first night, Minnesota left much less doubt in the second game.
The Mallards came out strong, controlled the pace and put together a complete performance on the way to a 5-2 win.
Minnesota’s offense continued to create opportunities while the group did a much better job limiting Springfield at the other end.
The result completed the road sweep and gave the Mallards back-to-back wins to close out the weekend.
A Big Weekend on the Road
Taking two games on the road is never something to overlook.
The Mallards showed two different ways to win in Springfield.
The first night required patience, resilience and a clutch shootout finish. The second night featured a more commanding performance from start to finish.
That combination gives Minnesota plenty to build on as the season continues.
Instead of returning home satisfied with just one win, the Mallards were able to take the entire weekend and bring four points back with them.
Back Home in Forest Lake
Now the focus shifts back home.
After a successful trip to Springfield, the Mallards will return to Forest Lake Sports Center for their next matchup against the Janesville Jets.
Minnesota will look to carry the confidence and energy from the sweep into another important weekend.
Playing in front of the home crowd gives the Mallards a chance to build on what worked in Springfield and continue stacking wins.
The goal will be the same: play fast, stay disciplined and bring the same compete level that helped them leave Illinois with a sweep.
Keep the Momentum Going
The Springfield weekend was another positive step for the Mallards.
A dramatic 5-4 shootout win in Game One.
A convincing 5-2 victory in Game Two.
A road sweep.
And now, a return home with momentum.
The Mallards are back in Forest Lake next, ready to take on the Janesville Jets and keep the streak rolling.
Fear The Flock. Fly Mallards Fly.
Oct 5, 2026 | Team News
The Minnesota Mallards are heading west for a unique home weekend.
Minnesota will travel to Watford City, North Dakota, for a two-game home series against the Wisconsin Windigo at the Rough Rider Center, marking the second consecutive weekend the two Midwest Division opponents will go head-to-head.
The Mallards and Windigo will drop the puck Saturday, October 10 at 7:00 PM before wrapping up the series Sunday afternoon at 3:00 PM.
Familiar Opponent, New Setting
There will not be many surprises when the puck drops Saturday night.
Minnesota is coming directly off a road weekend against the Windigo in Brookfield, Wisconsin, giving both teams a fresh look at one another heading into the rematch.
The quick turnaround creates a different challenge than a typical weekend. With four meetings between the clubs over a short stretch, adjustments become increasingly important. Both coaching staffs have recent film to work with, players are familiar with their matchups, and small details can become the difference.
Last Saturday’s meeting saw Wisconsin come away with a 6-3 victory despite Minnesota generating opportunities throughout the night. Jack Fang found the back of the net for his third goal of the season as the Mallards battled to stay within striking distance.
Now Minnesota gets another opportunity against the same opponent.
A Chance to Respond
Back-to-back weekends against a division rival give the Mallards an immediate chance to respond.
Rather than waiting weeks or months for another matchup, Minnesota can take what it learned in Wisconsin and bring those adjustments directly into this weekend.
That means cleaning up the details, limiting extended offensive-zone time for the Windigo and taking advantage when opportunities appear at the other end of the ice.
The Mallards have already shown early this season that they are capable of responding after difficult games. Minnesota opened its regular season by sweeping Kenai River and later picked up a dramatic shootout victory over Anchorage before heading into the NAHL Showcase.
The focus now is on continuing to grow and finding consistency as the season moves deeper into October.
Bringing Mallards Hockey to Watford City
This weekend also gives the organization an opportunity to bring Mallards hockey to a different community.
The Rough Rider Center in Watford City will serve as home ice for Minnesota for both games, giving fans in western North Dakota the opportunity to see NAHL hockey up close.
While the setting may be different from a typical home weekend in Forest Lake, the goal remains exactly the same.
Protect home ice.
Minnesota will look to establish its game early Saturday night, build momentum throughout the weekend and come away from Watford City with valuable points in the Midwest Division race.
One More Round With the Windigo
Four games against the same opponent in two weekends creates the kind of familiarity that can quickly build intensity.
Every shift becomes more familiar.
Every matchup becomes more important.
And every adjustment from the previous weekend has a chance to show up immediately.
For the Mallards, this weekend is an opportunity to turn familiarity into an advantage and deliver a strong response against a Windigo team they now know well.
Saturday, October 10 — 7:00 PM
Sunday, October 11 — 3:00 PM
Rough Rider Center — Watford City, North Dakota
Two more games against the Windigo.
This time, they’re home games.
Fear The Flock. Fly Mallards Fly.
Fans unable to make the trip can follow Mallards games live on NAHL TV.
