ALEXANDRIA, Minn.–After an overtime upset to the Minot Minotauros the Blizzard not only held on to their second place in the Central Division, but they also secured the second seed for play-offs with a win over the Austin Bruins.
Against Minot, on Friday the Blizzard swept the first period with goals from Hayden Trupp, Jordan Krebsbach and Seth Ronsberg. With no scoring in the second or third period, the Blizzard held-off a 3-0 victory and the first Blizzard shut-out for goaltender Michael Bitzer.
On Saturday, after a slow first period, Michael Mooney started the night out right for the Blizzard with a goal at the 1:20 mark in the second period. Minot proved it was anyones game with three goals in under three minutes to lead the Blizzard 3-1.
In the third, defensemen Vadim Gyesbreghs came up big not only once, but twice for the Blizzard to even the score and to send the game into overtime.
33 seconds into overtime Minot secured their first win of the season over the Blizzard 4-3.
Against Austin, Alexandria native Thomas Williams shook the first period for the Blizzard with a goal at the 6:32 mark and a second goal after a Bruins point to hold a Blizzard lead 2-1.
Leading off in the second, Hayden Trupp scored the third goal for the Blizzard before the Bruins went on a short scoring spree to tie the game at 3’s closing out the second period.
Midway through the third, Reid Sturos, who was voted as the team Offensive Player of the year at the Blizzard Banquet, lived up to the award when he scored shorthanded to lead the Bruins 4-3.
With a slap shot past goaltender Nicholas Lehr, Blizzard defensemen, Dylan Zink secured a 5-3 victory over the Austin Bruins to clinch the second seed and home rink advantage for the first round of play-offs.
The Blizzard will finish regular season play at the Runestone Community Center with Friday night’s game against the Aberdeen Wings at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday night’s face-off also at 7:30 p.m. against Minot.
The Blizzard will face the Austin Bruins in the first round of play-offs at the RCC April 6 and 7, 2012. Tickets are now available at the Alexandria Blizzard Business Office or by calling 320-763-7600. For more information contact Bryant Black at bryant@alexandriablizzard.com.
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By: Kaylee Kulich