ALEXANDRIA, Minn. – The Rochester Grizzlies served up a gritty, grind-it-out style road win on Thanksgiving Eve against the Alexandria Blizzard 2-1 in a defensive duel.
In a game defined by special teams chaos and big saves, the Grizzlies grabbed an early feast with two goals in the first and held on for their 11th win of the season.
The Grizzlies fired 42 shots and controlled long stretches of play, but it was those two first-period goals, the only offense they’d muster, that ultimately stood as the difference in a matchup that felt every bit like a holiday dogfight.
Tanner Lozano (3) got the scoring started early, just 3:09 into the first period, setting the tone early.
Marty Raymond’s squad continued to apply speed and pressure throughout the period, and it finally paid off with nine seconds remaining as Konnor Goclan (5) scored his second goal in as many games, finishing on a 2-on-1 with a feed from Andrew Bastian (18).
If the first period was the Thanksgiving meal, what followed was the leftovers: messy, chaotic and somehow still enough to get through.
The second period became a penalty box parade for both sides, featuring eight total infractions and a combined 0-for-8 on the power play for both teams throughout the 20 minutes.
Even a rare kicking game misconduct delivered to Mason Decker wasn’t enough for the Blizzard to find a way to create their own storm.
In total, the Grizzlies racked up 23 penalty minutes compared to 10 of the Blizzard, but the Rochester penalty kill delivered when it mattered most, going perfect on the night.
With all the special teams chaos swirling around, Kyle Lappi stood tall.
The Grizzlies’ netminder stopped 29 of 30 shots on the night, coming up clutch during the extended penalty-kill stretches and in the third period late.
The Blizzard were able to crack through early in the third as Chase Collings (2) potted on to cut the deficit in half, but Lappi and the surrounding defense dug in to withstand the final push.
A win to be thankful for, as Rochester picks up its fourth win in five games, and extends its point streak to five contests as well.
The team enjoys the holiday for Thanksgiving before shaking off the food comas and taking on West Bend in a crucial Central Division matchup on Friday and Saturday.