ALEXANDRIA, Minn.—After a short break for Christmas, the Alexandria Blizzard were back to the grind, playing three games within 48 hours. The break may have been just what the Blizzard needed as they racked up six points toward the Central Division standings.
Friday night, the Blizzard opened up the series by hosting the Minot Minotauros in the Runestone Community Center. While playing his first game after being out with a separated shoulder, Tucker Coborn, showed veteran qualities by striking first with a goal at the 4:24 mark.
“I had to sit out five games and I think watching the games from the stands helped me learn a lot. It made me come back more hungry,” said Coborn.
Clay Blankenship, Minotauros forward, looked to even the playing field when he scored on Blizzard goaltender, Jacob Meyers, at the 8:12 mark. However, that would be the sole goal Meyers would give up as the Minotauros fell short to the Blizzards explosive 7-1 victory.
On the eve of the New Year, The Blizzard traveled to the Odde Ice Center to face-off against the Aberdeen Wings. Again, Blizzard forward, Coborn put the shoulder injury behind him as he scored the opening goal early in the first period.
Wings defensemen, Lane Mahoney, answered Coborn’s goal at the 16:11 mark to tie up the game 1-1 going into the second period.
The Blizzard lit up the second period as they scored three consecutive goals from forwards Nick D’Avolio, Seth Ronsberg and Reid Sturos taking a 4-1 lead over the Wings.
To prevent a complete Blizzard takeover of the second period, Cory Ward put the puck in the net to close out the second period 4-2. After an almost scoreless third, Ronsberg sealed the deal, scoring in an empty net, to make it a second straight Blizzard win 5-2.
To celebrate the New Year, the Blizzard played host to the Austin Bruins on a Sunday showdown. It was a big game for the Blizzard, if they could get their third straight win they would start the New Year off right by moving up in the standings.
Blizzard captain Thomas Williams captured the first and only goal of the period to take a quick 1-o lead over the Bruins.
It wasn’t until the eight minute mark that Bruins forward, Matt Hansen, returned the favor to tie up the game. However, not for long as Blizzard defenseman Charlie Aus scored 49 seconds later. With a scoreless third period the Blizzard went on to defeat the Bruins 2-1.
After a three game sweep, the Blizzard moved to second place in the Central Division Standings.
On Thursday, the Blizzard will travel to the Maysa Arena to face-off against the Minot Minotauros at 7:05 p.m.
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