Logan Neu and Matt Moran led the way with hat tricks as the Granite City Lumberjacks crushed the Willmar WarHawks 13-1 in a home game at Willmar Civic Center Arena in Granite City. Also, Ridge Gerads came up big, stopping 25 of 26 shots throughout the game. The Granite City Lumberjacks took the lead before the halfway point in the first on a goal from Brandon Bissett and never looked back.
Jordan Olson contributed with 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist) and Braden Altena had no trouble finding the scoresheet, adding 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists).
In the first period, Sommers opened the scoring for the Lumberjacks with a goal at 3:22 with a helper from his teammate Schwehr. Bissett deposited what turned out to be the game winning goal at 6:00. Neu quickly followed with a goal at 6:52 with helpers from his linemates, Bissett and Dibari. Olson netted a goal at 10:13 with assists from Altena and Neu. Neu put in a goal at 14:13 with helpers from teammates Olson and Baker. Neu quickly followed with a goal at 14:57 with assists from his linemates, Dibari and Bissett. Sikich deposited a goal at 18:17 with helpers from his linemates, Dahl and Altena.
In the second period, Dibari scored a goal at 8:38 with assists from Neu and Olson. Moran quickly followed with a goal at 9:47 with a helper from defenseman Olson. Moran put in a goal at 18:08 with an assist from Schwehr. Holt quickly followed with a goal at 18:53 with helpers from his linemates, Bauman and Voss.
During the third, Schwehr answered for the Lumberjacks with a goal at 3:52 with assists from his linemates, Moran and Sommers. Moran put in a goal at 14:41 with helpers from Sommers and Baker. Altena scored a goal at 16:57 with assists from Sikich and Olson.
Granite City’s victory was in no doubt helped out by Gerads’ big night as he stopped 25 of the 26 shots he faced. Gerads’ counterpart, Ericson, also had a big night, managing to stop 24 of 33, but ultimately fell short.
This win brings the Granite City Lumberjacks’ record to (32-14-0-0).