Chase Dibari and Matt Moran led the way with hat tricks as the Granite City Lumberjacks crushed the Wisconsin Whalers 9-1 in a home game at Oregon Ice Arena in Granite City. Besides, the Granite City Lumberjacks' offense had a big night, peppering Wisconsin with 63 shots throughout the game. The Granite City Lumberjacks took the lead before the halfway point in the first on a goal from Matt Moran and never looked back.
Bailey Sommers contributed with 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist) and Braden Altena delivered for his team with 2 assists.
In the first period, Dibari opened the scoring for the Lumberjacks with a goal at 0:10 with helpers from his linemates, Sikich and Altena. Moran netted what turned out to be the game winning goal at 9:44 with helpers from his linemates, Sommers and Schwehr.
In the second, Tobey finally put Wisconsin on the board with a goal at 11:06 with an assist from defenseman Hefty.
During the third, Dibari answered for Granite City with a goal at 1:07 with an assist from fellow Lumberjacks forward Sikich. Troumbly quickly followed with a goal at 2:35. Moran put in a goal at 7:12 with helpers from his teammates Schwehr and Beyer. Sommers deposited a goal at 12:12 with helpers from Moran and Buhl. Dibari scored a goal at 17:28 with an assist from his linemate Castro. Moran quickly followed with a goal at 19:14 with an assist from his teammate Altena. Deboom quickly followed with a goal at 19:34 with a helper from defenseman Beyer.
Granite City’s victory was in no doubt helped out by Gerads’ big night as he stopped 28 of the 29 shots he faced. Gerads’ counterpart, Earls, also had a big night, managing to stop 54 of 63, but ultimately fell short.
This win brings the Granite City Lumberjacks’ record to (28-14-0-0).