The Alexandria Blizzard scored six goals in the second period to pull away from the Minnesota Flying Aces and clinch an 11-3 win.
Ian Ecklund had two goals and three assists to lead Alexandria. Ecklund scored the first of his two goals at 35 seconds into the first period to make the score 1-0 Alexandria. Bo Gronseth assisted on the tally. Ecklund\’s next tally made the score 6-2 Alexandria with 11:50 left in the second period. Ethan Luck picked up the assist.
The Blizzard\’s penalty kill excelled, as Alexandria gave up one goal despite allowing eight power plays.
The Blizzard made Minnesota\’s netminders to work in net, totaling 52 shots and forcing 41 saves. Mike Stumpf made 33 stops and Jaxson Gosnell made eight. Alexandria found the back of the net more times than it usually has this season. The Blizzard average 4.8 goals per game. Alexandria took advantage of the Flying Aces\’ penalties, tallying four goals off of seven power play opportunities. The Blizzard could not stay out of the penalty box, as the team accrued 48 minutes in penalties during the game.
Alexandria additionally got points from Gronseth, who also finished with two goals and one assist, Mick Dhein, who also registered one goal and one assist, and Luck, who also had one goal and one assist. Alexandria also had goals scored by Aaron Ryback, who had three and Tom Schmidt and Drake Hunter, who scored one goal each. Other players who recorded assists for Alexandria were Nate Mettenburg, who had one, Trent Olson, who had two, Joe Anderson, who had four, and Zach Kihle and Garrett Skinner, who each chipped in three.
Minnesota was often in penalty trouble, totaling nine minors and two majors for 28 minutes in penalty time. The Flying Aces surpassed its season average of 19.0 penalty minutes per game.
Minnesota was helped by Eric Rogorzenski, who grabbed one goal. Rogorzenski scored 17:13 into the first period to make the score 3-2 Alexandria. Tyler Gallagher assisted on the tally. Others who scored for Minnesota included Bradee Thompson and Eric Cruickshank, who each put in one. In addition, Minnesota received assists from Jake Mullendore, who had two and Blake Anderson and AJ Gullickson, who each chipped in one.
Alexandria\’s Tanner Elmore stopped 22 shots out of the 25 that he faced.
