The Alexandria Blizzard opened up a four-goal lead after the first period and did not look back en route to an 11-4 win over the Minnesota Flying Aces.
Bo Gronseth was all over the ice for Alexandria, as he tallied one goal and four assists in the win. Gronseth scored 10:55 into the first period to make the score 3-0 Alexandria. Tommy Hall assisted on the tally.
The Blizzard\’s penalty box was a popular destination as the team totaled seven minors and two majors for 44 minutes in penalty time. Alexandria surpassed its season average of 20.0 penalty minutes per game. The Blizzard forced Minnesota\’s goaltenders to work all game long, finishing with 44 shots and forcing 33 saves. Dakota McDonald made 11 stops and Spencer Mannes made 22. Alexandria found the back of the net more times than it usually has this season. The Blizzard have scored at the pace of 4.1 goals per game during the current campaign. Alexandria\’s penalty kill unit could not stop the Flying Aces\’ power play, which converted on three of five opportunities. The defensemen of the Blizzard were also effective in Minnesota\’s zone, and came away with three goals.
Alexandria also got points from Trent Olson, who also racked up one goal and one assist, Joe Carney, who also tallied two goals and two assists, David Becker, who also registered one goal and one assist, Hall, who also had one goal and three assists, and Luke Pavelich, who also racked up one goal and one assist. Alexandria also got a goal from Tom Schmidt as well. Other players who recorded assists for Alexandria were Austin Kilian, who had two, Nate Mettenburg, who had three, and Tanner Elmore, Tom Monteiro, Logan Norman, and Tony Arias, who contributed one each.
Alexandria was unable to stop the Flying Aces from sending pucks towards the net, and Minnesota eventually piled up 34 shots on goal. The Flying Aces could not stay out of the penalty box, as the team accrued 30 minutes in penalties during the game.
Minnesota was helped by Ty Ennis, who tallied two goals. Ennis scored the first of his two goals at 10:57 into the third period to make the score 9-2 Alexandria. Tyler Leverty provided the assist. Ennis\’ next tally made the score 10-3 Alexandria with 5:58 left in the third period. The Flying Aces had taken the advantage when the Blizzard\’s Schmidt got sent off for charging. Jesse Brown picked up the assist. Minnesota additionally got points from Travis Johnston, who also registered one goal and one assist. Zachary Johnston also scored for Minnesota. In addition, Minnesota received assists from Bradee Thompson, who had two and Lucas Mutschelknaus, Blake Neumann, and Tyler Arenz, who each chipped in one.
Elmore rejected 30 shots on goal for Alexandria. The Blizzard registered two goals on four power play opportunities. For Alexandria, Schmidt was ejected from the game.