UPDATE: The Granite City Lumberjacks have solidified their dominance in the NA3HL’s West Division, defeating the Willmar WarHawks 5-3 in an electrifying match at the Miller Buick GMC Rink on October 25, 2023. This victory boosts Granite City’s record to 17-2-0-0, showcasing their relentless pursuit of a championship.
The game opened with an early lead for Willmar, sparked by a goal from Dylan Mees at 10:21 of the first period. This marks Mees’ third goal of the season, a powerful strike from the Mankato defenseman. However, the Lumberjacks quickly equalized with Garrett Plaude netting his 11th goal just seconds later at 1:40.
Granite City then took control, scoring four consecutive goals, including two in the third period. The WarHawks rallied with goals from Gabe Adams and Carson Wendorff, but it was not enough to overcome the Lumberjacks’ lead.
The Lumberjacks’ scoring spree began with a goal at 4:22 in the second period by Teagan Dodge, assisted by Plaude and Ty Smith. As the game progressed, Granite City extended their lead, capitalizing on power plays and defensive lapses from Willmar.
With the next game scheduled for 7:10 PM on Friday at the Willmar Civic Center Arena against the Alexandria Blizzard, the WarHawks are looking to rebound. The stakes are high as they aim to improve their record of 7-11-0-0.
Statistics reveal the intensity of the match: Willmar’s goalie Sam Moen faced 37 shots, making 32 saves, while Granite City’s Nathan Mch had to handle 18 shots, saving 15. The game also saw a flurry of penalties, adding to the high-stakes atmosphere.
As Granite City continues its winning streak, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if the Lumberjacks can maintain their momentum. The urgency is palpable as both teams prepare for their upcoming match-ups in this thrilling junior hockey season.
Stay tuned for updates as the season unfolds and both teams strive for playoff positioning.
