The Minnesota Wilderness swept the Minot Minotauros in their home opener series in Cloquet last weekend.

Friday night was a night full of red lights, as the Wilderness topped the Minotauros 7-6 in a shootout. Nate Horn opened up his third season for the Wilderness with a hat trick. Veterans Nick Ports, Jake Herter and Tyler Watkins also netted goals, leading the team to overtime. With no goals ending the game in OT, Kimball Johnson buried a shootout goal, securing the win for the Wilderness.

On Saturday night Eric Fawkes came out strong, notching his first and second goals of the season as the Wilderness cruised 5-1. Lumberjacks hockey alum and veteran Ryan Nelson sniped a puck for a goal, followed by Nathan Adrian. Then Portz put up his second goal and fifth point of the weekend.

Captains named

The Wilderness coaching staff announced its 2019 captains Monday, and one of them is Carlton County native Ryan Nelson, who hails from Esko. Assistant captains are Nate Horn from Elk River, Nick Portz of St. Cloud, and Alec Cokley of New Castle, Colorado.

Nelson and Portz played with the Wilderness last season. Horn has played two previous seasons with the team. Cokley is the newest captain to the team.

The Minnesota Wilderness is a Tier II Junior Hockey Team in the National American Hockey League.