After dropping six of their last eight contests, the Rochester Grizzlies look to right the ship this weekend as they travel to take on the St. Louis Jr. Blues, who currently sit second in the Central Division.
Last weekend against the Wausau Cyclones, self-inflicted wounds proved costly for Marty Raymond’s squad, an all-too-familiar theme during the recent skid.
Starting strong and sustaining momentum will be crucial, as the Grizzlies have often controlled possession, shots, and pace early but still found themselves chasing on the scoreboard.
Offensively, production has come in spurts.
Across their last four losses, Rochester has managed just six total goals, a number they hope rises with the return of key players.
Both Sawyer Zaruba and Felix Wadstromer will slot back into the lineup this weekend, delivering a much-needed spark.
Zaruba, back from an upper-body injury that has kept him out since Oct. 17, adds stability and puck-moving ability to the blue line against a dangerous Jr. Blues attack.
Wadstromer makes his season debut after suffering a preseason injury, and the playmaking center should provide an immediate boost up front. He recorded 12 points in 33 games last season with the Grizzlies.
St. Louis, meanwhile, is one of the Central Division’s hottest teams after finishing near the bottom last year.
Led by forwards Jace Jordan (10G, 12A) and Joseph LoPiccolo (4G, 17A), the Jr. Blues carry a confident, high-scoring offense backed by strong goaltending.
Between the pipes, Travis Visvadra has been exceptional, posting a 9-1-1 record with a 2.36 goals-against average and .914 save percentage.
Special teams may decide the series as St. Louis owns top-ten power-play and penalty-kill units and averages nearly five goals per game (4.81), making discipline and puck management especially critical for Rochester.
With just a few weekends left before the NA3HL’s midpoint, the Grizzlies hope a fully healthy lineup can help turn close games into positive results.
This weekend offers a prime opportunity to reset momentum and climb back into the thick of the Central Division race.