The Alexandria Blizzard opened up the 22-23 season on the road splitting a pair of games against Granite City and the Minnesota Loons.
Friday night the Blizzard traveled to Sauk Rapids to take on the Granite City Lumberjacks. The Blizzard were right there for an opening night victory, but surrendered two late 3rd period goals in a 5-3 loss.
Cole Klingbeil got the season started scoring a minute and a half into the game off an assist from Justin Wasvick. Granit City came back with two of their own, before Joe Gronholz tied the game at 2-2 late in the 1st period with assists from Ryan Hadland and Logan Lukaseck. The Lumberjacks opened the scoring in the 2nd period, but Gronholz tied the game again at the twelve minute mark of the 2nd period. Hadland picked up his 2nd assist on Gronholz’s 2nd of the game.
The 3rd period was played pretty even but the Lumberjacks prevailed on their home ice. Alex Lamont made 34 saves.
Saturday night the Blizzard traveled to the Breezy Point Hockey Center to take on the Loons, and came away with a 5-3 victory.
Parker Anthony scored his first goal as a Blizzard to give Alexandria a 1-0 lead after the 1st period. Matt Scribner picked up the assist. Ryan Hadland scored a late 2nd period goal to tie the game at 2-2 heading into the 3rd. The Blizzard wouldn’t be denied in the 3rd on this night. Caleb Moore, Karsten Senden, and Justin Wasvick all tallied in the 3rd to fuel the victory. Antonio Gomez picked up his first point as a Blizzard, Hadland had a 2 point night, and Cole Klingbeil had the playmaker with 3 assists. Alex Lamont getting his 2nd start of the weekend made 28 saves for his 1st victory.
Alexandria ( 1-1 – 2pts) will travel to Willmar ( 0-1 – 0 pts ) for their home opener on Saturday. Puck drops at 7:10 pm with the action on hockeytv.com