Wilderness are back in Cloquet and off to Alaska after sweep

With all repairs completed and the cooling tower in proper working condition, Northwoods Credit Union Arena in Cloquet is again ready to host Minnesota Wilderness hockey.

The Wilderness returned Monday for practice before leaving on a road trip Wednesday. It was the team’s first time skating in Cloquet since last season, before a cooling tower leak in the arena shut down the ability to make ice. After shipping delays kept replacement parts from arriving promptly, the Wilderness were forced to find a new home for the season’s first practices, one preseason game, and three September regular-season home games.

St. Luke’s Sports and Event Center in Proctor was the

temporary home through

September.

Wilderness general manager David Boitz said the team will play its first game at the Cloquet facility on Oct. 20 against the Chippewa Steel.

“We are really excited to be back in our home rink and play in front of our home fans,” said Boitz. he said he appreciated the warm welcome the team received in Proctor. “We would like to thank Proctor for its terrific hospitality.”

This is the 12th season the Wilderness team has called Cloquet its home. It began its tenure at Northwoods Credit Union Arena in 2012, when it was part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League. The following year, Minnesota joined the North American Hockey League, where it still plays today.

The Wilderness will be in Alaska for its next four games.

The team got a two-game sweep last weekend against Springfield, 4-3 on Friday and 4-3 on Saturday in Proctor.

Ashton Dahms capped off a 3-point night by scoring a dramatic goal on an end-to-end rush to the Springfield net at 3:42 in overtime. Springfield had battled back from a 3-0 first-period deficit to tie the contest late in the third.

A dominating second period propelled the Wilderness Friday night. They scored three goals to go up 4-1 and then held off the Blues.

The team has reached an agreement with the Iron Trail Motors Event Center to play a game at the Virginia arena. The Wilderness will play Chippewa on Oct. 28.