The Alexandria Blizzard had a tough task trying to take down the top seeded Granite City Lumberjacks in the 1st round of the Western Division Semi-finals. Granite City dominated Game 1 with a 9-1 victory. Karsten Senden score off an assist from Matt McIntyre, but the Blizzard fell behind in the first and couldn’t make the come back. In Game 2 the Blizzard fought for their playoff lives with Joey Greilich making a number of dazzling saves, but again the Lumberjacks were too much in a 4-1 series clincher. Much like Friday the Lumberjacks built a 2-0 lead after one, and then midway through the 2nd period the Blizzard came alive with a power play goal from Ryan Hadland off a nice pass from Sean Kenny and Kaden Peterson. The crowd was electrified, but Granite City stole the momentum away scoring just :30 seconds to regain the two goal lead at 3-1. The Blizzard ended the 2nd and started the 3rd on the power play but couldn’t capitalize, and Granite City added one more at the eight minute for a 4-1 final, and will move on to the Western Division Finals. Joey Greilich made 39 saves in his final game with the Blizzard. Alex Heidenreich, Zach DeMarce, and Bailey Rosch are the other 3 Blizzard players ending their junior career. We want to congratulate and thank those 4 veterans for all they have given to the Alexandria Blizzard.
