ROCHESTER, Minn. – The Rochester Grizzlies put together one of their most complete performances of the season Friday night, erupting for a 10–4 victory over the Wisconsin Woodsmen at the Rochester Recreation Center in the Blackout Night.
Despite trailing after the first period, Rochester flipped the game on its head with a dominant five-goal second period and never looked back. The Grizzlies finished the night with 34 shots on goal and scored in bunches, tallying in all three periods to secure their eighth win of their last ten and improve to 18-13-1-0 on the season.
After Mason Decker (28) scored in the first 90 seconds, Wisconsin struck twice in the opening frame to grab a 2–1 lead after 20 minutes. The Woodsmen capitalized on early momentum, scoring twice in three minutes to hold the slim edge after the first frame.
The game completely swung in Rochester’s favor in the middle frame. The Grizzlies exploded for five goals in the second period, overwhelming Wisconsin’s defense with sustained offensive pressure and quick puck movement.
Decker and Cooper Johnson (11) each found the back of the net twice on the night, with both contributing key goals during the decisive stretch. Rochester outshot Wisconsin 13–8 in the period and turned defensive stops into immediate transition chances, building a commanding 6–3 lead heading into the third.
Any hopes of a Woodsmen comeback were quickly extinguished as Rochester added four more goals in the final 20 minutes. Konnor Goclan (9) chipped in a goal and two assists, while the Grizzlies continued to roll all four lines and force turnovers in the neutral zone.
The physicality ramped up late, resulting in a string of penalties and misconducts in the final minutes, but the outcome was already decided. Rochester closed out the night with a four-goal third period to seal the 10–4 win.
Nik Secen and Andrew Bastian each added three assists, showcasing Rochester’s depth throughout the lineup.
In net, Cameron Patrick turned aside 26 of 30 shots to earn the win, steadying the game after Wisconsin’s early push.
Rochester outshot Wisconsin 34–30 overall and held the Woodsmen in check after their fast start, allowing just two goals over the final 40 minutes.
The win marked Rochester’s second-most lopsided victory of the season and capped off another strong showing at the Rec Center, where the Grizzlies continue to gain momentum as the Central Division race tightens.
24 hours later, Rochester faced a much different challenge against West Bend, the Central Division’s top team entering the night at 30-2-1-1.
The Grizzlies matched West Bend stride for stride early, trading goals in the first period as Baylor Stebbins (15) scored Rochester’s lone goal of the night to tie the game 1–1 after 20 minutes.
West Bend seized control in the second period, scoring twice while limiting Rochester’s offensive looks. Despite six power-play opportunities on the night, the Grizzlies were unable to convert, finishing 0-for-6 with the man advantage.
West Bend added an insurance goal in the third period and locked the game down defensively from there. Rochester generated 26 shots, but Power goaltender Sam Ahl turned aside 25 of them, earning first-star honors with a .962 save percentage.
Nick Kurtiak made 22 saves in net for Rochester, keeping the game within reach into the final frame, but the Grizzlies were unable to find the equalizer against West Bend’s structured defense.
The Grizzlies fall to 0-6 this season against the Power and dropped down to third in the Central Division, with a huge weekend looming against Granite City with Hockey Day Minnesota on Friday.