Posted on Feb 1, 2008

Granite City Lumberjacks 4 Minnesota Flying Aces 3 final-OT Famous Montreal Canadian’s Goalie, Ken Dryden, was once quoted for saying, "There are two types of forwards. Scorers and bangers. Scorers score and bangers bang." The previous quote, although almost thirty years old, closely resembles the type of play and team chemistry the Lumberjacks have entertained fans with over the past month in a half. The Lumberjacks have played with passion, all while allowing players to fall into their respected team roles. Scorers have been scoring, bangers have been creating havoc near neutral zone, defenseman are not enabling the opposition to create separation, and the goalies have made the saves needed to win seven out of the last eight games. It has been this lethal combination that has hurdled this inaugural franchise into what will be a competitive force come playoff time. Wednesday’s night game versus the Minnesota Flying Aces was just the most recent display of team determination. The comeback kids from the “Granite City” came back from a 2-1 deficit to win yet another thrilling game 4-3 in OT. The game began with the Lumberjacks jumping out early with an even strength goal at the 2:52 mark. #12 Aaron Filstrup would get credit for the goal with assists going to #26 Kyle Kalina and #19 Alex Naujokas. The 1-0 score would hold up almost the entire first period, until Minnesota Flying Aces star, #21 Tony Schultz, posted his own, a power play goal, at 19:12. Former Lumberjacks player, #20 Josh Swancutt, would get an assist on the goal, along with #17 Tim Benner. The opening period would end knotted at one and carry over into the second period, but for only 2 minutes and 13 seconds. #22 Jonathan Feavel would score to make the score 2-1 Flying Aces. The one goal deficit had been seen before by the Lumberjacks, thus allowing the Lumberjacks to continue to play their style of hard-nosed offensive attack without having the push the panic button. The hometown faithful would have to fire 13 shots on net, before finally breaking through again at the 19:31 mark of the second period. #09 Sean Kenny would score the power play goal with helpers going to #07 Tyler Sura and #03 Bradley Phenow. The Flying Aces would outshoot the ‘Jacks 17-14 in the period. The third period would remain scoreless, until #26 Kyle Kalina grabbed his second point of the night on his first goal. The goal would come at 14:31 and make the score 3-2 good guys. #19 Alex Naujokas and #24 Fred Bidinger jumped into the point’s column with their assists on Kalina’s goal. #21 Schultz would once again score just two minutes later to bring the scoreboard to a 3-3 showing. Both teams would create chances in the final minutes, but neither team could break through before the buzzer would sound. Overtime has not always been friendly for the Lumberjacks this season; however, lately the team has been buckling down in the extra session to come away with the much needed two points. Wednesday was no exception. #18 Tyler Wahl, would pound home the game-winner at 1:32 sending fans home happy with another ‘Jacks victory. #19 Naujokas would pick up the lone assist on the goal. The Lumberjacks hit the ice this weekend with an away game on Friday at the Owls and a home game Saturday versus the Ice Hawks. Game time is 8:00 p.m. on Friday and 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.