WAUSAU, Wis. – Matt DeRosa recorded a hat trick and Lucas Newman chipped in two goals as the Rochester Grizzlies started the weekend on a high note with a 7-0 road victory over the Wausau RiverWolves. The win started off a road weekend for the Grizzlies and also is the seventh victory in seven games against the RiverWolves this season.
DeRosa opened the scoring just 44 seconds into the first period with his 16th of the season. Logan Olson and Peyton Hart added the assists. Ethan Noonan chipped in his third of the season, an unassisted tally at 4:11 of the first period. Rochester would keep up the pressure throughout the first period. It would result in the third goal of the period with Newman getting his first of the night with 2:32 left in the period. Noel Parker had the primary assist.
The Grizzlies scored in the opening minute of a period again as DeRosa added his second of the night 57 seconds into period. Rochester continued pressure in the second period, eventually tallying 27 shots in the period. Devin Hays’ 13th of the season extended the lead to 5-0 midway through the second, with Joey Fodstad providing the lone assist. DeRosa completed his hat trick at 16:21 of the second period. This marked his third career NA3HL hat trick and first this season.
Newman’s second of the game came just 1:23 into the third, with Olson adding another assist and Jesper Hofling picking up his first of the night. Rochester outshot Wausau 18-7 in the third period and 63-27 on the entire game.
Sean Guerin picked up his second shutout of the season. All seven goals came at even strength as Rochester went 0 for 8 with the man advantage. Rochester and Wausau meet again Friday, Feb. 29th in Wausau for the final time this season.
The Grizzlies sit at 30-7-1, good for 61 points and still in first place in the Central Division. Rochester earned its 30th win of the season roughly a month sooner than last year, as the team didn’t win its 30th game until March 2nd. The Grizzlies have a nine point lead over second place Coulee Region, which jumped the idle St. Louis Jr. Blues. They wrap up their weekend on the road Saturday evening against Granite City for the final time this season. Puck drop is set for 7:30 from Granite City.