WAUSAU, Wis. – The Rochester Grizzlies had a lot of momentum coming off a big 9-2 victory Thursday over Coulee Region. They carried that into Saturday against the Wausau RiverWolves. Another fast start led to a four-goal first period en route to an 11-2 win for the Grizzlies. The win puts Rochester back in second place in the Central Division.
Lucas Newman started the scoring for Rochester four minutes into the first period with a power play goal. Newman’s eighth of the season was assisted by Michael Heitkamp. The Grizzlies would keep applying pressure and peppering shots on Wausau goalie Tyler Klatt throughout the first period. Devin Hays continued his hot streak by doubling the lead for the Grizzlies at 13:33 of the first period. The goal marked Hays’ fourth in two games. Joey Fodstad added to his team lead in goals with his 15th at 17:11 of the first, making it 3-0 Rochester. Peyton Hart added an unassisted shorthanded goal late in the first period to make it 4-0 Grizzlies.
The offense would continue in the second period for the Grizzlies. Rochester, MN native Paul Hofbauer scored his first career North American 3 Hockey League goal at 2:36 of the first period, extending the lead to 5-0. Hofbauer added another just for good measure at 7:22 of the second. Cody Reagle assisted on both of Hofbauer’s goals. Noel Parker found the back of the net late in the second for his third goal since joining the Grizzlies and it was 7-0 at the end of two periods.
Rochester would tack on four more goals in the third period. Porter Haney, Heitkamp, Zak Justice and Reagle all found the back of he net for the Grizzlies. Reagle’s goal was his first career NA3HL tally. Wasuau scored both of its goals in the third.
Eight Grizzlies had multi-point efforts on the night. Hofbauer and Reagle led the way with four points each. Only five of the 18 skaters dressed for Rochester did not record a point in the win. Shane Soderwall stopped 23 of 25 shots to earn his sixth win of the season and first since Oct. 12th against Peoria. The Grizzlies put up 61 shots on net through three periods. Rochester (13-4-1-0, 27 points) now moves into second place in the Central Division, jumping the Coulee Region Chill.
The Grizzlies are back home Friday, Nov. 29th and Saturday, Nov. 30th against the Peoria Mustangs. Friday’s game is Black Friday Blackout as fans are encouraged to wear black to the game to help create a blackout atmosphere. All tickets are $5, beer buckets are just $10 and draft beers are $2. Saturday’s game is Rochester Youth Hockey Night at the Rochester Recreation Center. All youth hockey players who wear their team sweaters get free admission. There will be a custom-made Grizzlies and RYHA themed sweater auctioned off at the game, as well. Puck drop both nights is 7 o’clock.