Behind a great game by Aaron Ryback, who had two goals and three assists, Alexandria defeated Minnesota, 5-3.
Ryback found the back of the net 11:24 into the second period to make the score 2-0 Alexandria and again while on the power play 17:29 into the third to make the score 4-3 Alexandria.
Alexandria\’s penalty kill excelled, as Alexandria gave up zero goals despite allowing eight power plays.
Alexandria forced its penalty killing units to work especially hard during the game, picking up nine minors and one major for 73 minutes in penalty time. Alexandria surpassed its season average of 28.0 penalty minutes per game. Alexandria stifled Minnesota\’s power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. Alexandria forced Minnesota goalie Brady Griffin to work between the pipes, taking 45 shots. Alexandria\’s goal total was higher than its season average. This season, Alexandria averages 2.8 goals per contest.
Alexandria also got points from Jack Cernohous, who also registered one goal and two assists and Tyler Frischmon, who also finished with one goal and one assist. Logan Nelson also scored for Alexandria. Other players who recorded assists for Alexandria were Alec Seeger, who had two and Logan Norman and Connor Nilson, who each chipped in one.
Minnesota struggled to stay out of the sin bin throughout the game as it finished the game with 22 penalty minutes for eight opposing power plays.
Minnesota was led by Kyle Wendorf, who grabbed two goals. Wendorf scored the first of his two goals at 5:18 into the third period to make the score 2-2. Wendorf\’s next tally made the score 3-2 Minnesota with 12:50 left in the third period. Alec Skar provided the assist. Minnesota also got a goal from Jace Cseter as well.
Chance Kremer recorded 25 saves for Alexandria. For Alexandria, Norman and Mason Hautala were ejected from the contest. Minnesota\’s Griffin stopped 40 shots out of the 45 that he faced.
