ROCHESTER, Minn. – This was exactly what the doctor ordered for the Rochester Grizzlies. The Grizzlies swept the Evansville Jr. Thunderbolts in both games this weekend, winning Saturday’s game 10-0.
The Grizzlies (2-1-0-0) didn’t have the same start as yesterday, as Evansville looked much more competitive to start the game. Rochester’s first goal would come at the 8:20 mark as Caden Duggan knocked home his first of the year. It wouldn’t take him long to get his second goal, as Duggan would score just over two and a half minutes later.
“I got that first goal, it was a good feeling. After that the boys were buzzing and I was buzzing and feeling good,” Duggan said.
Rochester would pour it on in the second period, scoring five goals. Newcomer Richard Szabo would get his first as a Grizzly, firing a rocket of a shot past Evansville goalie Noah Brandau. The native of Slovakia was buzzing the entire night. Rochester, MN native Lukas Newman would score two goals in the second. The line of Newman, Porter Haney and Bryar Flanders showed strong chemistry tonight.
“[The chemistry] was good. We just tried to work it low and get it to the point and get a shot and net and bury the rebounds,” Newman said.
Vincent Palade would score his first of the season at the 15:31 mark of the second period. Szabo would get his first assist of the season on the goal. Another newcomer, Vladislav Sorokin, would get his first as a member of the Grizzlies late in the second period. Rochester would tack on three more in the third period as Porter Haney, Szabo and Peyton Hart would score.
The Grizzlies had 10 different goal scorers in last night’s 10-1 victory. Tonight, they would have three players score two goals apiece.
“At the end of the day you have to score to win. To have 10 guys do it last night is nice and to have a couple guys get two tonight is nice. I think it was pretty balanced. Each guy was on a different line that had two goals. It’s some good chemistry starting to build,” Head Coach Casey Mignone said.
Liam Kelly would be rewarded with a five save shutout as the Grizzlies would outshoot Evansville 70-5.
Next weekend bodes a tougher test for the Grizzlies as they’re back in the division taking on the North Iowa Bulls Friday and the Willmar Warhawks Saturday.
“I think everything can be better. We were good this weekend but by no means were we perfect. That’s what we shoot for, is to play perfect games. It doesn’t ever happen, but to play as close to a perfect game is possible,” Mignone said.
Both games next weekend are home at the Rochester Rec Center with 7:05 start times.