Photo by Rich Moll
Written By: Ryan Baker, Journalist
The time has come. After multiple weeks off, the Minnesota Wind Chill will resume play in their home stadium for the Central Division Championship against the Madison Radicals this Saturday night.
This is the first time these two are meeting each other in a playoff setting, and it’s going to be an all-out war. Not to mention, this will be the third edition of the border battle this season. Since 2019, Minnesota has had Madison’s number, going 12-2 against them in recent history. However, Madison is playing some of their best ultimate in years as they went on a four-game win streak leading up to this game.
“We've had a lot of success against them recently, but they're playing really well right now. They got a lot of confidence. It's going to be a challenging game for us on Saturday, and we're fully prepared for that. There is a lot on the line, and I also think that's when our guys are prepared to step up and play their best,” said head coach Ben Feldman.
Anything short of their best could mean an early exit for the Wind Chill this season, and the key to winning could happen right at the start of the game. Minnesota has seen struggles this year starting off slow. They get behind in games early, and dig themselves a hole too big for them to get out of.
Two of their star players, and guys who have been on tears this season, Will Brandt and Gordon Larson, are incredibly aware of the high stakes in this game. They understand how high the energy will be, and how crucial it will be to come out firing against a streaky Madison team.
“Our slow starts seem to be a product of low energy and focus in the warmup and buildup of games. We have to be really intentional pregame to help avoid that. I think the atmosphere and setting will help a lot with that though, there will be no confusion about the magnitude of the game,” said Larson.
“It’s going to come down to executing when it matters. The stakes will be high for this game. I think we all know the implications. The nerves and excitement will be there. The crowd will be loud. We know Madison is going to come out hot. This game will be our biggest test of the season so far,” said Brandt.
The Wind Chill are one of the most complete teams in the league with their low-scores-against totals, along with their high hold percentage. They’ve let up the fourth-fewest goals and have the fourth-highest hold percentage in the entire UFA. Madison is a team this year that likes to get going during transition, so Minnesota needs to keep their heads high after a turn and stay locked in to slow down a high octane offensive from Madison’s D-line.
“These games against Madison are some of the best we've ever had. To be able to coach against Tim [DeByl] this game is pretty exciting, as well. We're pretty close. I think the competitive juices of the game, the crowd, and what we expect to have at Sea Foam on Saturday is going to be pretty exciting,” said Feldman.
Similarly, the Radicals have looked to be among the top teams on both sides of the disc with their fifth-most scores, highest break percentage, and more blocks than anyone else in the league. The difference is that the Wind Chill have been in this position before and recently. They’ve made the Division Championship game the last three years, and won last year.
“Last year’s championship weekend was a particularly meaningful game and experience for so many in the Wind Chill organization. All season long, it’s been our goal to make it back there. While this year’s Championship Weekend wouldn’t replicate that same home crowd atmosphere, it would still provide a renewed opportunity to show why we belong in the top tier of this league. That opportunity has been in the back of my mind all season long,” said Brandt.
Minnesota will be showing their full roster filled with their impact players for this playoff bout. The thing to keep an eye out for will be if Kristian Johnson, Sam Berglund, and Matthew Rehder will be suiting up, as they are all currently listed as questionable.
“I think the rest was very much appreciated by many players, myself included. We played so many weekends in a row at the end of the season and I think the wear and tear started to show. We took a few losses, but I think that really provided some extra motivation for all of us. Since then, we’ve had some really good practices and I feel confident that we’ll be well prepared for this game,” said Brandt.
The Wind Chill’s top guys are going to need to be at the top of their game for this one. Brandt hosts the most assists on the team with 30 in just seven games, and his top targets in Bryan Vohnoutka and Larson both lead the team in goals scored with 25 apiece. When any of these guys get the disc in their hand, it’s a scary sight for the opposing team.
“I’m not going to be doing much different. We’ve been figuring out everyone’s roles on the offense and I’m looking forward to feeling even more comfortable this weekend. There is definitely some added pressure but to be honest I’m not too worried about it, we are a loose and fun team,” said Larson.
The Wind Chill want to make it back-to-back years repping the Central Division at championship weekend, and they have the means to do so. It’ll just be a matter of slowing down a young and streaking team in the Radicals.
“We showed up pretty well last year in the division championship game, and hoping that we can follow that cadence. Come up firing and hot on Saturday here in front of our fans one last time at Sea Foam Stadium,” said Feldman.
To watch the first ever playoff matchup between Minnesota and Madison, click here!
