BLAINE, Minn. – Vladislav Sorokin was held scoreless in the Grizzlies’ win Sunday over Oswego, but that was not the case Monday against the New England Stars.
Sorokin led the offense scoring three goals and Bryar Flanders chipped in a goal to give the Grizzlies a 4-1 victory over the Stars. It was the second win of the NA3HL Showcase Tournament for Rochester (18-6-0-0).
The Grizzlies would garner some solid scoring opportunities in the first period but could not solve New England goalie Matthew Marini. Nick Bucklin appeared to give up a goal from outside the blue line, but it was called off due to the Stars being offside.
The second period saw no goals until less than a minute remaining in the period. Sorokin took advantage of a Chris Barone penalty and beat Marini with a shot from the top of the right circle. Peyton Hart and Seth Bacon added the assists on the goal.
Rochester would keep up the pressure in the third period, controlling play for most of the game leading up to that. New England would cash in on a shorthanded opportunity at 10:24 of the third, however.
With Zachary Burnham in the box for slashing, Connor Barter would make quite an effort to tie the game at one. Barter blocked a shot in the defensive zone and proceeded to carry the puck out and beat Bucklin on a breakaway.
The lead would not last a minute, as Sorokin would give Rochester the lead at 11:21 after being left alone in front to knock home a rebound. He would complete the hat trick at 18:13 of the third with yet another power play goal. Bryar Flanders added his second goal of the year with his own power play goal just 34 seconds later.
Rochester ended the game with a five-minute power play after Stars defenseman Derek Lovejoy received a major penalty for boarding Grizzlies forward Joey Fodstad. Fodstad left the in some pain and did not return.
The Grizzlies finished the game 3/7 on the power play. Bucklin picked up the win after stopping 20 of 21 shots on net.
Rochester finishes up the Showcase tomorrow against the Peoria Mustangs at 1:30.