Three periods of regulation and an overtime session were not enough to settle matters as the Alexandria Blizzard defeated the Granite City Lumberjacks in a shootout 3-2 (3-1 SO).
The shootout featured eight attempts between both teams. Granite City got a shootout goal from Michael Orke. Alexandria also got shootout goals from AJ Gullickson and Tyler Berginski.
The Blizzard overcame a one-goal deficit to capture the victory. Alexandria trailed 2-1 after a short handed goal by the Lumberjacks' David Kenney at 18:32 in the second period. The Blizzard tied things up at 2-2 on a goal by Tom Monteiro at 13:20 in the third period.
Alexandria excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in four chances.
The Blizzard were helped by Tony Arias, who tallied one goal. Arias scored 8:38 into the second period to make the score 1-1. Will Schwartz picked up the assist. More assists for Alexandria came via Luke Pavelich and Nate Mettenburg, who contributed one each.
Granite City's penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on three Alexandria power plays. The Lumberjacks did not reach the goal total they have come to expect this season. Granite City puts an average of 4.2 pucks into the net per game. The Lumberjacks forced Alexandria goalie Evan Bisek to work between the pipes, taking 35 shots.
Granite City was helped by David Horsmann, who registered one goal. Horsmann scored 4:40 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Granite City. Dallas Marvin assisted on the tally.
Bisek recorded 33 saves for the Blizzard. Alexandria incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors. The Lumberjacks' Jesse Garcia stopped 16 shots out of the 18 that he faced. Granite City incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors.