MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Rochester Grizzlies opened play Friday night as the newest team in the North American 3 Hockey League’s Central Division against the Milwaukee Power. After taking an early lead, the Grizzlies never led again and ultimately dropped the contest, 5-3 on the road. This marked the first contest between the two teams.
Teejay Torgrimson, a Rochester, MN native, scored his first career NA3HL goal at 6:11 of the first period. The goal came unassisted after Torgrimson crashed the net and knocked home a loose puck. The game stayed that way for about seven and a half minutes before the Power struck on a 2-on-1, beating Grizzlies goalie Sean Guerin.
Milwaukee opened the scoring in the second period when Garrett Alton scored his second of the game at 5:58, giving the Power a 2-1 lead. Another newcomer would tie the game for Rochester, as defenseman Clayton Shultz beat Power goalie Joey Greilich on the power play, tying the game. Peyton Hart and Ethan Noonan picked up the assists. The tie would last less than four minutes, as Milwaukee scored its own power play goal. Guerin turned the puck over behind the Grizzlies net, allowing Nathan Walker to knock home the puck.
The Grizzlies would tie the game once again, as second-year forward Lucas Newman scored his first of the season off a feed from fellow returner Joey Fodstad. Newman’s goal was scored at 7:44 of the third.
That would be the last goal Rochester would get, as the Power would tack on two extra, with the game-winner coming at 12:36 of the third. Milwaukee added an empty-net goal with 40 seconds left to seal the deal. Rochester only got three goals past Greilich, despite out-shooting Milwaukee 52-34.
The Grizzlies are back on the road Saturday evening against the Peoria Mustangs at 6:45. That game can be found on Hockey TV. Rochester’s home opener is slated for Friday, September 20th at 7pm from the Rochester Recreation Center against the Wausau RiverWolves. For information on tickets, call the front office at 507-722-0415.