ROCHESTER, Minn. – On back-to-back nights, a three-goal third period propels the Rochester Grizzlies to a 4-2 victory over their Central Division rival, the St. Louis Jr. Blues. Rochester native, Dylan Schneider logged his second career Hat Trick with the Grizzlies, who now move to 4-0 on the young season.
In similar fashion to last night, St. Louis would start draw first blood, courtesy of a shorthanded goal by Tony Andrews at the 11:53 mark of the first period of play. That would be the lone goal scored by either team in the first 20 minutes of action inside the Rochester Recreation Center, Saturday Night. Andrews was able to split the defense, thanks to his partner, Derek Cagle, to sneak the puck past Grizzlies goalie, Zach Foster, who made his first career start in net.
Coming out of the first intermission, the Junior Blues would add yet another goal to make it a 2-0 lead early in the second period. The lead would be short lived though as Tyler Huffer connected with Dylan Schneider in the high slot to cut the lead in half on Scheider’s first Power Play goal of the game. Junior Blues Net-Minder, Owen Carlson, made a beautiful save in front off of the stick of Kobe Payne, but was not able to recover the loose puck with eventually resulted in Schinder’s Power-Play goal.
Schneider was not done there. In similar fashion during the 3rdperiod, Schneider rocketed yet again another Power-Play goal past Carlson at the 6:05 mark of the period. From there, it would go back and forward up the ice as both Foster and Carlson would come up with big saves to keep it tied at 2 late in the 3rdperiod. That tie however, was broken up by eventual game-winning goal by Schneider at the 13:25 mark of the 3rd period two secure the hat trick for the Shattuck St. Mary’s Alum. Micah Gernander would seal the deal for Rochester in the closing seconds of the game.
Foster would save 26 of the 28 shots he saw securing his first career win in the NA3HL. Carlson stopped 43 of the 47 shots he faced. Rochester, now 4-0 on the season, is back in action next Friday night as they play host to the Wausau RiverWolves. Puck drop is set for 7:05.