Granite City had a five-goal lead after two periods and cruised the rest of the way en route to an 8-2 win over Minnesota.
Granite City got the win thanks to a great game by Tanner Skaja, who had two goals and two assists. Skaja scored the first of his two goals at 8:05 into the second period to make the score 3-0 Granite City. Tommy Hutsell assisted on the tally. Skaja\’s next tally made the score 4-0 Granite City with 2:54 left in the second period.
Granite City forced Minnesota goalie Quinn Huff to work between the pipes, taking 42 shots. Granite City outdid its season average for goals scored. Granite City averages 4.8 goals per game.
Granite City also got points from Hutsell, who also tallied two goals and two assists, Tommy Giller, who also registered two goals and three assists to lead the team in points, and Will Mix, who also racked up two goals and one assist. In addition, Granite City received assists from Ben Haugo, who had two and Tyler Mros and Kevin Finley, who contributed one each.
Minnesota could not stay out of the penalty box, as the team accrued 30 minutes in penalties during the game.
Minnesota was led by Kyle Wendorf, who had two goals. Wendorf scored the first of his two goals at 2:09 into the third period to make the score 5-1 Granite City. Wendorf\’s next tally made the score 7-2 Granite City with 9:44 left in the third period. Minnesota had gotten the advantage when Granite City\’s Lucas Carroll was sent off for checking from behind. Jacob Aberwald picked up the assist.
Mac Berglove rejected 19 shots on goal for Granite City. Granite City incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors. Quinn Huff made 34 saves for Minnesota on 42 shots. Minnesota registered one goal on two power play opportunities. Minnesota ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Ryan Conybear was ejected from the game.