David Mulligan came up big, stopping 26 of 28 shots throughout the game. The Granite City Lumberjacks took the lead before the halfway point in the second on a goal from Brandon Bissett.
Brandon Bissett had no trouble finding the scoresheet, adding 2 goals and Owen Sikich delivered for his team with 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist). Jordan Cooper contributed with 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist) and Zach Martin chipped in with 2 assists.
In the first period, Salz opened the scoring for Granite City with a goal at 16:25 with helpers from teammates Altena and Baker.
In the second, Bissett netted a goal at 1:00 with a helper from his linemate Sikich. Dixon finally put Willmar on the board with a goal at 6:39 with assists from his linemates, Martin and Cooper. Bissett answered for the Lumberjacks with what turned out to be the game winning goal at 10:19 with an assist from Neu.
During the third, Cooper answered for Willmar with a goal at 2:43 with helpers from Martin and Toll. Sikich quickly followed with a goal at 4:24 with helpers from Altena and Beyer. Sommers put in a goal at 6:34 with assists from Pearson and Salz. Sikich quickly followed with a goal at 8:29 with an assist from defenseman Salz.
Granite City’s victory was in no doubt helped out by Mulligan’s big night as he stopped 26 of the 28 shots he faced. Mulligan’s counterpart, Fry, also had a big night, managing to stop 22 of 27, but ultimately fell short.
This win brings the Granite City Lumberjacks’ record to (15-7-0-0).