Seeking redemption from a Dec. 30 loss, the Rochester Grizzlies held off a pesky Willmar Warhawks club with a 3-0 win at home. Tate Cothern picked up the shutout as Rochester is now 6-1 against Willmar this season and 28-4-2 on the season, good for 58 points.
After a bit of a back-and-forth start to the game, Wyatt Witham was the one to break the ice. Witham collected a loose puck in front of goalie Kai Girard and beat him to the glove side at 13:31 of the first. Spencer Klotz was credited with the lone assist on Witham’s 10th of the season, but the first year forward was not done.
Kai Girard kept the Warhawks close for much of the second period, making some great saves to keep it 1-0. A bounce went the Grizzlies way as Witham had the puck hit off him in front and trickle just past the red line in the net. Grizzlies Captain, Ty Petzke, and defensive partner Gavin Griffin were credited with the assists
Spencer Klotz gave Rochester some insurance at 4:42 of the third as he followed up his own shot, knocking home a rebound to make it 3-0. Cothern would keep the door shut the rest of the game on his way to his 3rd shutout of the season stopping all 31 shots faced.
The Grizzlies are back home Saturday at 7:05pm against Mason City.