Blizzard hockey: Alexandria takes down another top team
At a point in the season when Alexandria needed to step up its game in an attempt to wrap up a playoff spot, the Blizzard is doing just that.
Alexandria won its fourth straight game on Saturday night by beating North Iowa 4-1. All four of those wins have come against teams in front of the Blizzard in the West Division standings.
Now 21-15-0-1 with 43 points, Alexandria is within six points of North Iowa (24-9-1, 49 points) for the third spot in the division. Granite City (56 points) and Rochester (50) remain in the top two spots.
The Bulls outshot the Blizzard 37-31 on Saturday, but Alexandria took advantage of its opportunities. A three-goal second period erased what had been a 1-0 North Iowa lead after a Jordan Roo goal at 6:41 of the first.
The Blizzard answered with the equalizer from Cole Lehmann at 5:07 of the second. Less than two minutes later, Sam Prisbe scored a goal that gave Alexandria a 2-1 lead it never relinquished. Tucker Kruse added another second-period goal before Ike Taraszewski put the finishing touches on the win at 12:37 of the third.
Brett Meister did not score but had two assists. Kruse, Wesley Johnson, Riley Scanlon, Dylan Giorgio and Taraszewski all added helpers, as well.
Kyle Hayden stepped up in net with 36 saves and just the one goal allowed to get the win. He was named the first star of the night. Evan Babekuhl took the loss with four goals allowed and 27 saves for North Iowa.
The Blizzard will try to win its fifth straight game when Willmar comes to the RCC at 7:10 p.m. on Feb. 2.