Wyatt Witham tallied a first period hat trick as the Rochester Grizzlies toppled the Minnesota Loons again, this time 9-3. Rochester has now won all seven games against Minnesota this season, and are now in sole possession of first place in the Western Division with Granite City’s loss to Alexandria tonight.
Wyatt Witham scored his first of the period just 1:35 into the game in what would be a strong start for the Grizzlies. Noah Joyce tallied his second of the weekend, beating Loons goalie Alex Harden at the 6:42 mark of the first. Witham scored his second of the period at the 11:58 mark of the first. His third came with 27 seconds left in the period, on a beautiful shot up high over Harden. Andrew Bastian and Luke Sawicky had goals sandwiched between Witham’s second and third tally.
Only the Loons scored in the second period, with Broden Fawcett and Anthony Launderville finding the back of the net to cut the lead to 6-2.
The third period would see Rochester extend the lead and ultimately finish off Minnesota. John Schmidt and Luke Sawicky scored shorthanded goals while Dre Berndt added his first career NA3HL goal to give the Grizzlies nine goals. Christian Starr scored a late goal for the Loons, and Riley Swanson picked up the win in net for the Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies will hit the road tomorrow for a Sunday Matinee in Mason City at 2:30.