ROCHESTER, MN –After earning himself Central Division Star of the Week for last weekend’s games, Adam Johnson continued his strong play as of late. Johnson had two goals and an assist, as the Grizzlies routed the St. Louis Jr. Blues 8-1 on home ice. Rochester improves to 26-6-2 and now has 54 points on the season.
Rochester has had success this season against St. Louis, winning the first four matchups. The first period started out well for the Grizzlies as Luke Morrisette opened the scoring just 1:33 into the period. The Jr. Blues would come back just about 10 minutes later, tying the game at one as Jacob Horrall beat Zach Wiese with a shot to the far side. That’s as close as the visitors would get. Cole Gibson tallied a late goal in the first period for Rochester which would end up being the game-winner.
The Grizzlies stormed out for four goals in the second period. It started with Layten Liffrig tallying an early one just 1:44 into the second period. Kade Shea would then make it 4-1, collecting a rebound in front and knocking home at 9:44 of the second. Johnson would collect his first of the evening, deflecting in a Noah Roitman point shot on the power play to make it 5-1 at 16:19. His second would come with 58 seconds remaining in the second period.
Kyle Bauer and Lyncoln Howerth rounded out the scoring for Rochester with two goals in the third period. Johnson would finish with two goals and an assist while Bauer would tally a goal and two assists for the home team. Wiese stopped 20 of 21 shots on net. The Grizzlies piled up 75 shots on net.
These two teams are back at it Saturday evening at 7:05. It’s the fourth of a six-game homestand for the Grizzlies.