Three periods of regulation and an overtime session were not enough to settle matters as the North Iowa Bulls defeated the Alexandria Blizzard in a shootout 3-2 (2-1 SO).
The two teams needed nine turns to complete the shootout. Alexandria\’s shootout goal was scored by Aaron Ryback. In addition to the clincher, North Iowa got a shootout goal from Jake Johnson.
The Bulls overcame a two-goal deficit to capture the victory. North Iowa was down 2-0 after a power play goal by the Blizzard\’s Bo Gronseth at 7:31 in the second period. The Bulls tied things up at 2-2 on a goal by Jake Mullendore at 8:10 in the third period.
North Iowa was led by Mullendore, who registered one goal.
The Bulls\’ offense operated below their season average. North Iowa puts an average of 5.2 pucks into the net per game. The Bulls forced Alexandria goalie Evan Bisek to work between the pipes, taking 42 shots.
North Iowa also got a goal from Johnny Panvica as well. In addition, North Iowa received assists from Carmen Dalesandro, Jon Severson, Joe Burgmeier, and Johnson, who contributed one each.
Other players who recorded assists for Alexandria were Ryback, who had two and Kyle Jones and AJ Gullickson, who each chipped in one.
North Iowa\’s Chris Amsden stopped 23 shots out of the 25 that he faced. The Bulls incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors. Bisek rejected 39 shots on goal for the Blizzard. Alexandria incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors.