Photo by Mitchell May

Written By: Ryan Baker, Journalist

After three quick months, we have reached the conclusion of the regular season for the UFA, and the reigning champs get to end it with a big upcoming weekend.

The Minnesota Wind Chill travel out to Salt Lake to play the 10-1 Shred this Friday, following that up with hosting the Detroit Mechanix as their final regular season bout in 2025 on Sunday evening.

With playoff spots already secured for both the Wind Chill and Shred, Minnesota being the two seed in the Central and Salt Lake being the one seed in the West, this game is going to be about building momentum towards the playoffs and revenge.

The last time the Wind Chill went out to Salt Lake, they came home with the championship trophy. However, the Shred didn’t qualify for championship weekend last year, so Minnesota didn’t get a chance to exact some revenge.

What I mean by revenge is that these two played in the semi-finals in 2023 when championship weekend was in Minnesota, and Salt Lake ended up eliminating the Wind Chill. Except, it was how it happened. With seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Shred threw up a prayer down one, and they were able to tip into the endzone to tie up the game. In overtime, Salt Lake broke Minnesota for the lead with 35 seconds left. The Wind Chill have been wanting another shot ever since.

“I’ve honestly been looking forward to this rematch since we lost to them two years ago. After losing in OT against them at home, in front of our home crowd, it really leaves you hungry. Beating them at their home field would just be the sweet revenge we’ve been waiting for,” said Cameron Lacy.

Photo by Rich Moll

Fast forward nearly two whole seasons, and we get to see the rematch. Teams look a little different, and there is a little more weight to it. As stated earlier, Minnesota took home the trophy in Salt Lake’s stadium last year, and this year the Shred have one of the best offenses in the league.

“Salt Lake is a great team. They are probably the most athletic and explosive unit across the board offensively that we’ve seen. Speed-wise, it's going to be a challenge for us, and it’ll be a good test. We’re going to have to generate turnovers as a starting point, and make them uncomfortable in different ways,” said head coach Ben Feldman.

As long as Minnesota plays the way everyone knows that they can, this matchup will bring an unstoppable force head-to-head with an immovable object.

“Playing in away games doesn’t really bother me, but it does help the home team stay motivated. We've got to stop any momentum they get and not let their crowd get into it. Justin [Burnett] always tells us, we need more. I think that’ll be key in Salt Lake. Whatever we think might be enough against Salt Lake, add more. Whatever works against the Shred, add more. If we do more on Friday, we’ll put ourselves in a great spot to win,” said Lacy.

Salt Lake’s offense has the most scores in the league, the third-least turnovers, the best hold percentage, and the best O-line conversion rate. Minnesota’s defense has let up the second-fewest goals, produced the fifth-most blocks, and has the second-best break percentage.

“It’s all about peaking at the right time and getting better. Friday is going to help us regardless of the outcome on the field. Obviously, we are shooting for a win and want nothing more, but we are going to get a lot of helpful information on how we can improve,” said Feldman.

Photo by Meghan White

Feldman will have his top-end roster at his disposal for the Friday night game, just without Quinn Snider. A lot of these guys were on the team for the 2023 playoff matchup, but there is some new blood entering the rivalry, namely Justin Burnett and James Pollard. That won’t stop anyone from bringing their A-game to this one.

“I bring the same intensity for every game, no matter who it is. My matchup is always personal,” said Burnett.

The Minnesota defense is going to have to cause as much chaos as possible, and their offense will have to go shot-for-shot with Salt Lake if they want to walk away with another mark in the win column.

Regardless of the outcome of the Friday night game, Minnesota will have to shift their focus quickly to Detroit and hope to end the season on a high note. Surely, Minnesota will walk away with a win in their second game, as long as things go according to plan.

Photo by Rich Moll

Wind Chill fans will also see Zach Morton and Danny Hobday make their UFA debuts. A lot of the main pieces will be resting for the final regular season game, but that shouldn’t slow them down in the slightest.

With two wins this weekend, Minnesota would eclipse ten wins for the fourth time in franchise history (2017, 2021, and 2023).

To tune in to Friday Night Frisbee for the rematch of the 2023 semi-finals at 7 p.m. MDT, click here!

To buy tickets to Minnesota’s final home game of the regular season at 5 p.m. on Sunday, click here!

To watch the final regular season game, click here!